88R15344 MZM-F
 
  By: Muñoz, Jr. H.B. No. 997
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 997:
 
  By:  Lozano C.S.H.B. No. 997
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the authority of a municipality to prohibit police or
  fire department employees from circulating or signing certain
  employment petitions.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 150, Local Government Code, is amended
  by adding Subchapter Z to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER Z. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
         Sec. 150.901.  AUTHORITY TO PROHIBIT POLICE OR FIRE
  DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES FROM CIRCULATING OR SIGNING CERTAIN
  PETITIONS. A municipality may not adopt or enforce a charter
  provision, ordinance, policy, or other measure that prohibits an
  employee of the municipality's police or fire department from
  circulating or signing a petition authorized by Chapter 142, 143,
  or 174.
         SECTION 2.  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, 2023.