86R13525 SCL-D
 
  By: Bernal H.B. No. 3448
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the application of whistleblower protection laws to
  certain appointed municipal officers.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 554.001(4), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
               (4)  "Public employee" means:
                     (A)  an employee or appointed officer other than
  an independent contractor who is paid to perform services for a
  state or local governmental entity; or
                     (B)  an appointed officer who is an independent
  contractor paid to perform services for a general-law municipality.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a report by a public employee of a violation of law that is made
  on or after the effective date of this Act. A report by a public
  employee of a violation of law made before the effective date of
  this Act is governed by the law in effect when that report is made,
  and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2019.