Texas House Bill HB1489

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to restricting salary increases and bonuses given to the administrative head of certain state agencies.

Impact

By enforcing these restrictions, HB1489 is expected to affect the compensation structure within Texas state agencies significantly. In doing so, the legislation may help promote equity by tying performance incentives to measurable outcomes, such as the engagement of historically underutilized businesses. This could lead to greater transparency in how public funds are utilized regarding management compensation and could shape the way agencies plan and execute their contracting decisions moving forward.

Summary

House Bill 1489 seeks to impose restrictions on salary increases and bonuses for the administrative heads of certain state agencies in Texas. Specifically, the bill amends Section 659.021 of the Government Code to ensure that the salary of the administrative head cannot exceed the amount established in the General Appropriations Act. The legislation aims to prevent the issuance of bonuses unless specific agency goals related to contracting with historically underutilized businesses are met in the previous fiscal year. This reflects an intention to increase accountability and fiscal responsibility within state agencies.

Contention

While the bill's intent is to ensure more responsible fiscal practices, it may face opposition from those who argue that it could undermine the ability of state agencies to attract and retain qualified leadership. Some may contend that restrictive compensation measures could deter capable candidates from seeking administrative positions. Additionally, concerns may arise around how effectively the performance measures related to historically underutilized businesses can be implemented and assessed without compromising the fundamental responsibilities of these agencies.