Amend SB 2298 by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTION to the bill and renumbering subsequent SECTIONS of the bill as appropriate: SECTION ____. Section 51.962, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows: (f) This subsection applies to an employee employed by the institution of higher education for more than six months. The requirement that six months elapse between merit salary increases prescribed by Subsection (e) does not apply to a one-time merit payment if the chief administrative officer of the institution of higher education determines in writing that the one-time merit payment is made in relation to the employee's performance during a natural disaster or other extraordinary circumstance.