BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 517
85R1774 JCG-F	By: Garcia
	Intergovernmental Relations
	4/13/2017
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, Texas statute does not explicitly state that an emergency services commissioner in certain populous counties may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred when performing the duties as a commissioner. Additionally, no clear amount on reimbursement is limited by Texas statute. This bill's purpose serves to clearly indicate that compensation.

Entitles an emergency services commissioner of a district located wholly in a county with a population of more than three million to receive compensation of not more than $150 per day for each day the commissioner actually spends performing the duties of a commissioner. Requires compensation not to exceed $7,200 per year. To add, compensation may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in performing official duties. S.B. 517 amends current law relating to the compensation and per diem compensation of emergency services commissioners in certain counties.

Support:

Biggers, Brenda (Harris County, ESD 50); Uribe, Hector (Self; Travis County ESD 4); Bosse, Fred (Harris County, ESD 6, 12, 50 & 60).

As proposed, S.B. 517 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 (commissioner) of a district located wholly in a county with a population of more than three million.

(b) Entitles a commissioner to, notwithstanding Section 775.038(a) (relating to a cap on the compensation of the commissioner) and except as provided by Subsection (c), 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 the commissioner's election to receive per diem compensation) and 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. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.