By: Schwertner, et al. S.B. No. 668
(Geren)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the adoption of a training manual for certain state
officers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 6, Government Code, is amended
by adding Chapter 673 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 673. TRAINING MANUAL FOR CERTAIN STATE OFFICERS
Sec. 673.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Executive head of a state agency" has the meaning
assigned by Section 669.001.
(2) "State agency" means a department, board,
commission, or other agency in the executive branch of state
government. The term does not include an institution of higher
education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.
Sec. 673.002. TRAINING MANUAL. (a) The governing body of
a state agency or the single state officer who governs an agency
shall adopt a training manual as provided by this section. The
executive head of a state agency governed by a governing body shall
ensure that each member of the body receives a copy of the manual
each year.
(b) The training manual must include, at a minimum:
(1) the scope of and limitations on the rulemaking
authority of the governing body or officer;
(2) the distinction between the governing body's or
officer's rulemaking authority and the authority of the
legislature;
(3) the ethical considerations involved in
communications between the officer or members of the governing body
and persons required to register as lobbyists under Chapter 305;
(4) the procedures by which the officer or a member of
a governing body must disclose a conflict of interest; and
(5) rules and state laws applicable to the officer or
members of the governing body.
(c) A person who is a member of the governing body of a state
agency shall submit annually to the executive head of the state
agency a statement affirming receipt of the training manual.
SECTION 2. Not later than June 1, 2016, the governing body
of a state agency or the single state officer who governs the agency
shall adopt the training manual required by Section 673.002,
Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.