HBA-SEP S.B. 188 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 188
By: Lindsay
State Affairs
4/27/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law entitles a state employee who is a volunteer firefighter to a
leave of absence without a deduction in salary to attend fire service
training conducted by a state agency or institution of higher education
(institution).  In addition, current law authorizes a state agency or
institution to grant leave without a deduction in salary to a volunteer
firefighter for the purpose of allowing the firefighter to respond to
emergency fire situations.  Extending these provisions to emergency medical
services volunteers may increase the state's readiness for emergency and
disaster situations.  Senate Bill 188 extends these provisions to an
emergency medical services volunteer. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 188 amends the Government Code to entitle a state employee who
is an emergency medical services volunteer (volunteer) to a leave of
absence without a deduction in salary to attend fire service or emergency
medical services training conducted by a state agency or institution of
higher education (institution).  The bill authorizes  a state agency or
institution to grant leave without a deduction in salary to a volunteer for
the purpose of allowing the volunteer to respond to emergency fire or
medical situations if the agency or institution has established a policy
for granting that leave. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.