By: Huffman S.B. No. 265

(In the Senate - Filed January 25, 2013; January 29, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Intergovernmental Relations; March 4, 2013, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 4, Nays 0; March 4, 2013, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to bond requirements for county officers and employees.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 88, Local Government Code, is amended by adding Section 88.008 to read as follows:

Sec. 88.008. SELF-INSURANCE INSTEAD OF BOND. (a) Notwithstanding any other law requiring a county officer or employee to execute a bond as a condition of office or employment, a county officer or employee is not required to execute the bond and may perform the duties of office or employment if:

(1) the commissioners court by order authorizes the county to self-insure against losses that would have been covered by the bond; and

(2) the county judge approves the order adopted under Subdivision (1), if the county judge was required to approve the bond under the other law.

(b) An order adopted by the commissioners court under Subsection (a) shall be kept and recorded by the county clerk.

SECTION 2. The heading to Chapter 88, Local Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 88. OFFICIAL BONDS OF [CERTAIN] COUNTY OFFICERS AND

EMPLOYEES

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.

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