BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 577

By: Flynn

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that a claim of discrimination filed by a service member on state active duty falls both under the jurisdiction of the Texas Workforce civil rights division and the Texas military forces. These parties contend that the interests of service members filing such claims would be better served by processing the claims in accordance with military regulations. H.B. 577 seeks to limit the jurisdiction over such claims to the Texas military forces.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

H.B. 577 amends the Government Code to require claims of discrimination by service members on state active duty to be processed in accordance with military regulations and procedures established for the state military forces and to exempt such claims from the jurisdiction of the Texas Workforce civil rights division. The bill subjects a member of the state military forces called to state active duty to the regulations established for continued membership in the specific component, including but not limited to medical readiness, drug testing, physical fitness, and training requirements.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.