Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Texas House Bill HB1668

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to the waiver of governmental immunity of a county or sheriff's department for claims arising from a final decision of certain civil service commissions.

Impact

The bill is expected to directly impact the ability of employees within counties to seek recourse through the judicial system when they believe that their rights, as outlined by civil service decisions, have not been upheld. By allowing employees to file suit in district court for a writ of mandamus, the bill presents an avenue for challenging local government decisions which may have previously been insulated from legal scrutiny due to governmental immunity. This may lead to increased enforcement of civil service decisions and provide employees with stronger protections under Texas law.

Summary

House Bill 1668 seeks to amend local government law in Texas by waiving the governmental immunity of counties and sheriff's departments for claims that arise from final decisions made by civil service commissions. This legislative effort aims to enable employees to hold their county governments accountable when they fail to comply with decisions concerning back pay or other monetary benefits that have been awarded by these commissions. With provisions for the enforcement of such decisions, this bill shifts the balance of accountability towards governmental entities in the context of administrative labor issues.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 1668 include discussions about the implications of waiving governmental immunity. Supporters of the bill argue that accountability is essential for ensuring fair treatment of county employees and that the bill provides a much-needed legal avenue for addressing grievances that can affect livelihoods. However, critics may express concerns regarding the potential for increased litigation against government entities, which could lead to budgetary constraints or resource allocation issues. The balance between protecting employee rights and preserving governmental immunity remains at the heart of the debate surrounding this legislation.

Companion Bills

TX SB1671

Identical Relating to the waiver of governmental immunity of a county or sheriff's department for claims arising from a final decision of certain civil service commissions.

Previously Filed As

TX HB993

Relating to sheriff's department civil service systems in certain counties.

TX HB1353

Relating to deputy sheriff civil service appeals of certain sheriff's department actions.

TX HB1308

Relating to the establishment of a constable's department civil service system in certain counties; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB22

Relating to abortion, including civil liability for distribution of abortion-inducing drugs and duties of Internet service providers; creating a criminal offense; authorizing a private civil right of action.

TX HB36

Relating to abortion, including civil liability for distribution of abortion-inducing drugs and duties of Internet service providers; creating a criminal offense; authorizing a private civil right of action.

TX HB2690

Relating to abortion, including civil liability for distribution of abortion-inducing drugs and duties of Internet service providers; creating a criminal offense; authorizing a private civil right of action.

TX HB111

Relating to abortion, including civil liability for distribution of abortion-inducing drugs and duties of Internet service providers; creating a criminal offense; authorizing a private civil right of action.

TX HB925

Relating to firearms; authorizing a private civil right of action.

TX HB994

Relating to sheriff's department civil service systems in certain counties.

TX HB1752

Relating to liability for the provision to certain children of procedures and treatments for gender transitioning, gender reassignment, or gender dysphoria; providing a civil penalty.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.