Texas Senate Bill SB44

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to leave for state employees who are volunteers of certain disaster relief organizations.

Impact

The passage of SB44 is set to positively impact state laws surrounding employment and volunteerism in disaster situations. By formalizing the process for state employees to take time off to volunteer, the bill promotes active participation in community emergency response efforts. Additionally, it recognizes the valuable contributions of volunteers during disasters and seeks to support them by providing job security during such critical times. The repeal of previous legislation that did not provide similar provisions for disaster volunteering further underscores the importance placed on these activities in Texas law.

Summary

Senate Bill 44 aims to provide state employees who volunteer for certain disaster relief organizations with the ability to take leave when responding to declared disasters. This legislation allows eligible state employees to participate in disaster relief activities without facing deductions in their salary or loss of accrued leave time, provided that the leave is authorized by their supervisor and the governor has declared a state of disaster. Furthermore, the bill specifies that such leave is capped at a maximum of 10 days per fiscal year, ensuring that while employees can contribute to disaster relief efforts, their regular employment is not overly disrupted.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding SB44 is largely positive, reflecting a recognition of the crucial role volunteers play in disaster situations. Lawmakers demonstrated strong bipartisan support during voting sessions, with the Senate passing the bill with a vote of 28 to 3, followed by a House approval where only one member voted against it. This suggests that there is a collective understanding of the importance of facilitating support for disaster response through incentivizing state employee participation.

Contention

While SB44 received significant support, concerns were raised regarding the impact on public service operations during periods of disaster. Some legislators questioned how allowing extended leave for volunteers may affect state agencies’ ability to maintain normal operations and staffing. However, the general consensus lean towards supporting the volunteers’ rights, implying that while balance must be maintained, the state's dedication to fostering community resilience in times of need is paramount.