BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 4205
89R14004 JBD-D	By: Harless (Bettencourt)
	Local Government
	5/14/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The bill author has informed the committee that pay disparity among law enforcement agencies, particularly in large metropolitan areas, can cause some agencies to lose experienced personnel as employees choose to switch agencies to attain better pay. H.B. 4205 seeks to level the playing field of law enforcement pay in certain counties by providing for all law enforcement agencies.

H.B. 4205 amends current law relating to compensation and employment benefits for law enforcement personnel in certain counties.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 174.003(3), (4), and (5), Local Government Code, to redefine "police officer," "political subdivision," and "public employer."

SECTION 2. Amends Section 174.005, Local Government Code, as follows:

Sec. 174.005. PREEMPTION OF OTHER LAW. Provides that Chapter 174 (Fire and Police Employee Relations) preempts all contrary local ordinances, executive orders, legislation, or rules adopted by the state or by a political subdivision or agent of the state, including a commissioners court.

SECTION 3. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 152, Local Government Code, by adding Section 152.908, as follows:

Sec. 152.908. COMPENSATION PARITY FOR POLICE OFFICERS IN CERTAIN COUNTIES. (a) Defines "police officer."

(b) Provides that this section applies only to a county with a population of 3.3 million or more.

(c) Requires the commissioners court of a county, if the commissioners court increases the compensation or employment benefits for a class of police officers, to increase by the same amount the compensation or employment benefits to all police officers that are within that class and who receive their compensation and employment benefits primarily through county funding.

(d) Provides that the commissioners court of a county is required to provide funding to each law enforcement agency, office, or department of the county necessary to provide the increase in compensation or employment benefits required by Subsection (c) and is prohibited from reducing a component of the budget of a law enforcement agency, office, or department as a result of the increase in compensation or employment benefits required by Subsection (c).

SECTION 4. Makes application of Section 152.908, Local Government Code, as added by this Act, prospective.

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2025.