AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

It has been reported that when emergency services districts were created, emergency services commissioners functioned primarily as administrators for firefighting services and compensation for their services was capped accordingly. Over time, according to informed parties, the role of an emergency services commissioner in certain large districts has evolved and now encompasses multiple tasks, including the performance of emergency services. The parties believe that this increase in responsibility should be appropriately compensated. H.B. 973 seeks to provide for an optional compensation increase for emergency services commissioners in certain large counties.

 

H.B. 973 amends current law relating to the compensation and per diem compensation of emergency services commissioners in certain counties.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 775, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 775.0381, as follows:

 

Sec. 775.0381.  COMPENSATION IN CERTAIN POPULOUS COUNTIES.  (a) Provides that this section applies only to an emergency services commissioner of a district located wholly in a county with a population of more than three million.

 

(b) Provides that notwithstanding Section 775.038(a) (relating to compensation limits for emergency services commissioners), except as provided by Subsection (c), an emergency services commissioner (commissioner) is entitled to receive compensation of not more than $150 per day for each day the commissioner actually spends performing the duties of a commissioner.  Prohibits compensation from exceeding $7,200 per year. Authorizes commissioners to be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in performing official duties.

 

(c)  Authorizes a commissioner, notwithstanding Section 775.038(b) (relating to per diem compensation for emergency services commissioners), instead of compensation under Subsection (b), to elect to receive per diem compensation of $150 for each day the commissioner actually spends performing the duties of a commissioner. Prohibits a commissioner who receives per diem compensation from being reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses. Prohibits per diem payments from exceeding $7,200 per year.

 

SECTION 2. Provides that the changes in law made by this Act apply only to the payment of compensation and per diem compensation of an emergency services commissioner for the performance of duties on or after the effective date of this Act. Provides that the payment of compensation or per diem compensation before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the duty is performed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.