BILL ANALYSIS |
H.B. 1677 |
By: Canales |
Intergovernmental Affairs |
Committee Report (Unamended) |
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The bill author has informed the committee that Texas fire fighters have few legal protections against investigative procedures for alleged misconduct that can lead to suspension, demotion, or reprimand, which can result in fire fighters being forced to accept punishments due to coercion, rather than actual wrongdoing. H.B. 1677 seeks to address this issue by prohibiting certain municipalities from taking punitive action against a fire fighter unless an investigation of the fire fighter's alleged misconduct has been conducted by the municipality in accordance with certain procedures.
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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.
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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.
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ANALYSIS
H.B. 1677 amends the Government
Code to prohibit a municipality with a population of 10,000 or more from
taking punitive action against a fire fighter unless an investigation of the · certain investigation requirements prescribed under the fire fighters' and police officers' civil service law or other applicable law; · any additional requirements imposed by a meet and confer or collective bargaining agreement under that civil service law or The Fire and Police Employee Relations Act; and · the requirement that a copy of a signed complaint against the fire fighter be given to the fire fighter in accordance with the applicable procedures. The bill applies to a fire fighter employed by a municipality regardless of whether the municipality is covered by a meet and confer or collective bargaining agreement under the civil service law or the act.
H.B. 1677 requires a
municipality to which certain investigation requirements under the
H.B. 1677 defines the following terms: · "fire fighter" as a paid employee of a municipal fire department; · "investigation" as an administrative investigation conducted by a municipality of alleged misconduct by a fire fighter that could result in punitive action against the fire fighter; and · "punitive action" as a disciplinary suspension, indefinite suspension, demotion in rank, reprimand, or any combination of those actions.
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EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2025.
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