86R13786 MP-D

By: Dominguez H.B. No. 4022

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the compensation of an assistant county auditor.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 84.021, Local Government Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

(a) From time to time the county auditor may certify to the district judges a list stating the number of assistants to be appointed and[,] the name, duties, qualifications, and experience of each appointee[, and the salary to be paid each appointee]. The district judges, after careful consideration of the application for the appointment of the assistants and after inquiry concerning the appointees' qualifications and[,] the positions sought to be filled, [and the reasonableness of the requested salaries,] shall prepare a list of the appointees that the judges approve [and the salary to be paid each]. The judges shall certify this list to the commissioners court, which shall order [the] salaries to be paid on the performance of services and shall appropriate an adequate amount of money for this purpose.

(b) If an emergency exists, the county auditor shall recommend the appointment of temporary assistants, and [after a hearing held in accordance with Section 152.905,] the district judges shall determine the number[, salaries,] and duration of employment of the assistants.

(b-1) The commissioners court shall determine the salary of an assistant auditor appointed under Subsection (a) or (b).

SECTION 2. Sections 152.905(a), (b), and (d), Local Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) This section applies only to the compensation of the county auditor[, assistant auditors,] and court reporters.

(b) Before setting the amount of annual compensation of the county auditor[, assistant auditors,] and court reporters, the district judge or judges shall hold a public hearing on the matter at which parties in interest and citizens have an opportunity to be heard.

(d) At the hearing, the district judge or judges shall set the amount of compensation of the county auditor[, assistant auditors,] and court reporters considered at the hearing. The vote must be recorded, transcribed, and maintained as a public record.

SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to an assistant county auditor appointed on or after the effective date of this Act. An assistant county auditor appointed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 4. 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.