87R5689 JTS-D
 
  By: Minjarez H.B. No. 1351
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to eligibility requirements for arbitrators selected to
  hear certain disciplinary appeals filed by police officers.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 180, Local Government Code, is amended
  by adding Section 180.008 to read as follows:
         Sec. 180.008.  ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ARBITRATORS OF
  CERTAIN DISCIPLINARY APPEAL HEARINGS FOR POLICE OFFICERS. (a)  An
  arbitrator selected to hear an appeal of the disciplinary
  suspension or dismissal of a municipal police officer, deputy
  sheriff, deputy constable, or other police officer, including an
  appeal under Section 143.057 or 143.1016 or under a collective
  bargaining, meet and confer, or other similar agreement, must be a
  resident of and an attorney licensed to practice law in this state.
         (b)  Notwithstanding any other law, including Section
  142.067, 143.307, 143.361, 147.004, 174.005, or 174.006, a
  collective bargaining, meet and confer, or other similar agreement
  may not conflict with this section.
         SECTION 2.  Section 180.008(a), Local Government Code, as
  added by this Act, applies only to an arbitrator selected to hear a
  disciplinary appeal that is initiated on or after the effective
  date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.  Section 180.008(b), Local Government Code, as
  added by this Act, applies only to an agreement entered into or
  renewed on or after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.