BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1246

By: Rodríguez

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that any increase in the salaries of bailiffs in certain counties must be uniform and contend that this requirement precludes any adjustment based on length of service and other factors. S.B. 1246 addresses this problem by revising and updating statutory provisions governing the compensation of certain bailiffs.

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

S.B. 1246 amends the Government Code to revise and update statutory provisions governing the compensation of bailiffs appointed by the judges of the district courts having jurisdiction in El Paso County and the judges of the county courts at law in that county to require each such bailiff to be paid an annual salary out of the general fund of El Paso County unless another source of funding is approved by the commissioners court. The bill requires the El Paso Council of Judges to set the salary in writing consistent with pay scales adopted by the commissioners court that are comparable to other positions within El Paso County. The bill entitles bailiffs so appointed who hold office as bailiffs on June 30, 2017, to receive at least the same annual salary or compensation as they received on that date. The bill establishes that a person appointed to succeed a bailiff so appointed who held office as bailiff is not entitled to be paid the same annual salary paid to the bailiff the person succeeds but that such a person is entitled to receive an annual salary either out of the general fund or as approved by the commissioners court.

S.B. 1246 repeals Sections 53.0091(c) and (e), Government Code.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.