S.B. No. 1477
AN ACT
relating to differential pay and benefits for certain employees of
emergency services districts who are members of the armed forces.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 775, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 775.039 to read as follows:
Sec. 775.039. DIFFERENTIAL PAY AND BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEES
OF EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICTS. (a) A board may provide
differential pay to a district employee who is a member of the state
military forces or a reserve component of the United States armed
forces who is called to active duty if:
(1) the board adopts a policy providing for
differential pay for all similarly situated employees; and
(2) the employee's military pay is less than the
employee's gross pay from the district.
(b) The combination of differential pay and military pay may
not exceed the employee's actual gross pay from the district.
(c) For purposes of this section, military pay does not
include money the employee receives:
(1) for service in a combat zone;
(2) as hardship pay; or
(3) for being separated from the employee's family.
(d) The differential pay provided by Subsection (a) begins
when the benefits allowed under Section 431.005, Government Code,
are exhausted and continues until the employee's active military
duty terminates.
(e) The board may extend the insurance benefits provided by
the district to a district employee who is a member of the state
military forces or a reserve component of the United States armed
forces who is called to active duty and to the employee's
dependents. The extension period begins when the benefits allowed
under Section 431.005, Government Code, are exhausted and continues
until the employee's active military duty terminates.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1477 passed the Senate on
April 21, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that
the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 25, 2011, by the
following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1477 passed the House, with
amendment, on May 20, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 149,
Nays 0, one present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor