AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Currently, members of the Texas military forces are subject to frequent reassignments and position rotations. Concerns have been raised that this prevents long-term stability and development of institutional knowledge within key military administrative and planning positions. C.S.H.B. 2965 seeks to increase long-term stability and institutional knowledge in those positions.

 

C.S.H.B. 2965 amends current law relating to administrative support positions with the Texas Military Department.

 

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 E, Chapter 437, Government Code, by adding Section 437.2121, as follows:

 

Sec. 437.2121.  EXTENDED STATE ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.  (a) Authorizes the adjutant general to hire service members of the Texas military forces to fill state military positions with the Texas Military Department (TMD) as authorized by the General Appropriations Act. Provides that a service member hired under this section is considered to be on extended state active duty service.

 

(b)  Entitles a service member called to extended state active duty service under this section to the benefits and paid leave generally provided to state employees.

 

(c)  Requires the adjutant general to establish and TMD to maintain the criteria for activating a service member under this section.    

 

(d)  Authorizes a state military position to have a limited term with a defined end date or to be a continuing position without a defined end date.

 

(e)  Requires TMD, as soon as practicable before the end of each state fiscal year, to notify each service member called to extended state active duty service under this section whether TMD will continue the service member's state military position for the next state fiscal year.

 

(f)  Requires TMD to consult with the classification officer, as authorized by Chapter 654 (Position Classification), to develop a state salary structure classification applicable to service members called to extended state active duty service under this section. Authorizes the salary structure classification to allow for automatic salary increases based on the service member's military rank and years of service. Authorizes TMD to use the salary structure classification established under this subsection before it is adopted in the General Appropriations Act. Provides that this subsection expires August 31, 2017.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.