Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1016 by Davis, Sarah (Relating to legal representation for civil suits against peace officers employed by a school district.), As Engrossed
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Local Government Code to require a school district to provide a municipal or district employee who is a peace officer, fire fighter, or emergency medical services employee with legal counsel without cost to the employee for certain suits. An employee could recover reasonable attorney's fees from a municipality or a district that fails to provide counsel.
According to the Texas Education Agency (TEA), no direct fiscal implications for the Foundation School Program or the operations of TEA are anticipated.
Local Government Impact
TEA indicated that school districts that are currently providing legal representation would not experience substantive changes, but school districts that are not already providing legal representation for the peace officers they employ could experience new administrative costs. The fiscal implications related to the provisions of the bill would continue beyond fiscal year 2018.