BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 2283
80R14151 EJI-F By: Chavez (Watson)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Current law provides for a sheriff's civil service commission for certain counties which provides a property right to those jobs in the commission covered by the law. As a result, deputy sheriffs under this system can only be fired for cause. This conflicts with Section 85.003 (Deputies), Local Government Code, which requires deputy sheriffs commissions to be reissued anytime a new sheriff is elected and provides that those deputies serve at the pleasure of the elected sheriff.
H.B. 2283 includes deputy sheriffs in the coverage of a civil service system and provides that deputies in such a system are only authorized to be suspended for a violation of a civil service rule adopted under that system.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 85.003, Local Government Code, by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (f), as follows:
(c) Provides that a deputy serves at the pleasure of the sheriff, except as provided by Subsection (f). Authorizes the sheriff to revoke the appointment of the deputy on the deputy's indictment for a felony.
(f) Authorizes the suspension or removal of a deputy who is included in the coverage of a civil service system created under Chapter 158 (County Civil Service) only for violation of a civil service rule adopted under that system.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.