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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the local control of fire fighter employment matters in |
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certain municipalities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Sub-chapter C, Local Government Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 142.100 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 142.100. Nothing within this statute, or a municipal |
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ordinance, or a provision of a municipal charter shall preempt, |
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impair or otherwise restrict communications between individual |
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fire fighters or the officer's of a fire fighter's association and |
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the elected members of the municipality's governing body. |
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SECTION 2. Sub-chapter C, Local Government Code, is amended |
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by amending the Section 142.119 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 142.119. This subchapter may not be construed as |
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repealing any existing benefit provided by statute or ordinance |
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concerning firefighters' compensation, pensions, retirement plans, |
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hours of work, conditions of employment including the right to open |
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and honest communications between the officers of a firefighter's |
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association and the governing body of a municipality, or other |
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emoluments, except as expressly provided in a ratified meet and |
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confer agreement. This subchapter is in addition to the benefits |
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provided by existing statutes and ordinances. |
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SECTION 3. Sub-chapter C, Local Government Code, is amended |
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by amending Section 142.106(b)(1) to read as follows: |
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Sec. 142.106. (a) The firefighters may modify or change |
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the recognition of the association granted under this subchapter by |
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filing with the governing body of the municipality a petition |
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signed by a majority of all covered firefighters. |
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(b) The governing body of the municipality may: |
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(1) recognize the change or modification as provided |
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by the petition if the petition signatures are verified by the |
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American Arbitration Association or the Federal Mediation and |
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Conciliation Service; or |
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(2) order a certification election in accordance with |
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Section 142.104 regarding whether to do so. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |