87R5689 JTS-D
By: Minjarez H.B. No. 1351
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to eligibility requirements for arbitrators selected to
hear certain disciplinary appeals filed by police officers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 180, Local Government Code, is amended
by adding Section 180.008 to read as follows:
Sec. 180.008. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ARBITRATORS OF
CERTAIN DISCIPLINARY APPEAL HEARINGS FOR POLICE OFFICERS. (a) An
arbitrator selected to hear an appeal of the disciplinary
suspension or dismissal of a municipal police officer, deputy
sheriff, deputy constable, or other police officer, including an
appeal under Section 143.057 or 143.1016 or under a collective
bargaining, meet and confer, or other similar agreement, must be a
resident of and an attorney licensed to practice law in this state.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, including Section
142.067, 143.307, 143.361, 147.004, 174.005, or 174.006, a
collective bargaining, meet and confer, or other similar agreement
may not conflict with this section.
SECTION 2. Section 180.008(a), Local Government Code, as
added by this Act, applies only to an arbitrator selected to hear a
disciplinary appeal that is initiated on or after the effective
date of this Act.
SECTION 3. Section 180.008(b), Local Government Code, as
added by this Act, applies only to an agreement entered into or
renewed on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.