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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to telework for state employees. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 658, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Sections 658.001(3) and 658.011 as follows: |
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Sec. 658.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
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(1) “Full-time state employee” means a person employed by a |
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state agency who, if not participating in a voluntary work |
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reduction program under Section 658.003, is required to work for |
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the agency not less than 40 hours a week. |
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(2) “State agency” means: |
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(A) a board, commission, department, institution, |
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office, or other agency in the executive branch of state government |
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that is created by the constitution or a statute of this state, |
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including an institution of higher education as defined by Section |
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61.003, Education Code, other than a public junior college; or |
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(B) the Supreme Court of Texas, the Texas Court of |
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Criminal Appeals, a court of appeals, or other agency in the |
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judicial branch. |
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(3) “Telework” means a work arrangement that allows a state |
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employee to conduct all or some of their work away from a state |
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office building during all or a portion of the state employee’s |
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established work hours on a regular basis. |
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Sec. 658.011. AWARDING OF TELEWORK. (a) Subject to the |
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provisions under Sec. 658.010, the administrative head of an agency |
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may award telework to an employee to: |
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(1) Address a lack of office space; or |
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(2) Provide reasonable flexibilities that enhance the |
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agency’s ability to achieve its mission. |
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(b) The administrative head of the employing agency shall |
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articulate in writing the reason telework is being provided to an |
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employee and the conditions under which it may be revoked. |
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(c) Telework shall not be awarded to an employee as a |
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condition of hiring. |
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(d) Telework may be revoked at any time at the discretion of |
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the agency and without notice. |
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(e) Telework agreements must be renewed annually by the |
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employee and the administrative head of an agency. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |