Texas House Bill HB1345

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

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

Impact

The implementation of HB 1345 is anticipated to have a positive impact on both state employees and disaster management efforts within Texas. By providing state employees the opportunity to respond to disasters without the financial burden of lost pay or vacation time, the bill promotes civic engagement while ensuring that qualified personnel are available to assist in relief efforts during critical periods. The bill’s passage aligns with broader goals of enhancing community resilience and response capabilities in times of disaster.

Summary

House Bill 1345 introduces provisions related to leave for state employees who serve as volunteers in disaster relief organizations. Specifically, the bill amends the Government Code to allow state employees who volunteer for member organizations of the Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster to take leave without experiencing a loss of pay or deductions from vacation or sick time. This legislation aims to encourage and facilitate participation in crucial disaster relief services during state-declared emergencies.

Contention

Though the bill is designed to benefit employees who volunteer during disasters, there may be areas of contention regarding the management of leave approvals. The requirement for leave to be authorized by the employee's supervisor could lead to disparities based on supervisory discretion, potentially limiting access for some volunteers. Critics may raise concerns about the impact this has on the willingness of employees to volunteer if they fear their requests may be denied.