BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 461

By: Gallegos

Urban Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law authorizes a person over the age of 36 to take the firefighter entrance examination, even though a person that age is not eligible to be hired.

S.B. 461 prohibits a person 36 years of age or older from taking the firefighter entrance examination.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 461 amends the Local Government Code to add provisions that apply primarily to a municipality that has a population of 10,000 or more, has a paid fire department or police department, and has voted to adopt the municipal civil service law for firefighters and police officers.  The bill makes the law prohibiting a person from taking an entrance examination for a beginning position in the fire or police department unless the person is at least 18 years of age apply only to a beginning position in the police department.  The bill prohibits a person from taking an entrance examination for a beginning position in the fire department unless the person is at least 18 years of age, but not 36 years of age or older.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.