Honorable Joseph Pickett, Chair, House Committee on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1477 by Hegar (Relating to differential pay and benefits for certain officers and employees of emergency services districts who are members of the armed forces.), As Engrossed
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Government Code and Health and Safety Code to authorize the governing body of an emergency services district (ESD) to vote to provide differential pay to an employee who is also a member of the state military forces or a reserve component of the state or federal armed forces. The bill would provide guidelines for the amount of allowable pay. The bill also would authorize an ESD to provide an extension of the employee’s insurance benefits upon a vote by the governing body that would begin when the benefits allowed under Section 431.005 are exhausted and would continue until the employee's active military duty terminates.
Local Government Impact
There could be costs associated with increased employee compensation that would vary by district and by the number of qualified employees. It is assumed that an emergency services district would provide differential pay to a qualified employee only if sufficient resources were available or the amounts would not result in a negative fiscal impact to the ESD. Therefore, no significant fiscal implication is anticipated.