Texas House Bill HB3712

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 5/2/09

Caption

Relating to compensatory time off for public security officers employed by the Department of Public Safety and police communications operators employed by the Parks and Wildlife Department.

Impact

If enacted, HB3712 would result in a meaningful modification to the way in which compensatory time is calculated for these specific public safety roles. This may have significant implications for public sector staffing and budgeting in the departments affected. By ensuring that public safety officers receive compensation in the form of time off, the bill seeks to acknowledge the importance of their role during critical periods such as holidays, which are often times of increased public activity and potential emergency scenarios.

Summary

House Bill 3712 aims to amend the Government Code to provide compensatory time off for public security officers employed by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and police communications operators employed by the Parks and Wildlife Department. The bill specifically states that state employees in these roles who are required to work on a national or state holiday that falls on a Saturday or Sunday are entitled to receive compensatory time at a rate of one hour for each hour worked during those holidays. This change recognizes the unique demands placed on these employees who support public safety and law enforcement efforts.

Contention

While the bill's intent is to provide fair compensation for long hours worked by public safety employees, there may be concerns regarding its impact on staffing levels during busy holiday periods. There could be debate about how to manage personnel availability if many employees are using their accumulated compensatory time. Furthermore, discussions may arise about the fiscal implications for state budgets and whether this shift is sustainable given the operational needs of the Department of Public Safety and Parks and Wildlife Department.