BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 65 89R1021 MZM-D By: Zaffirini Local Government 3/7/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Currently, the authority to mandate uniform hours is reserved for counties containing 355,000 inhabitants or greater without a clear rationale. The absence of uniform working hours and holidays among county departments can confuse taxpayers, who may be unsure when they can access services, and create communication challenges between departments. S.B. 65 would allow counties with a population greater than 265,000 to adopt and enforce uniform rules on the work hours of employees whose compensation is set or approved by the commissioners court. This change would improve cohesion with each department and transparency with taxpayers. As proposed, S.B. 65 amends current law relating to the adoption of uniform rules for hours of work for certain county employees. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 157.021(a), Local Government Code, as follows: (a) Authorizes the commissioners court, in a county with a population of 265,000 or more, rather than 355,000 or more, to adopt and enforce uniform rules on the hours of work of department heads, assistants, deputies, and other employees whose compensation is set or approved by the court. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 65
89R1021 MZM-D By: Zaffirini
Local Government
3/7/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 65
89R1021 MZM-D
By: Zaffirini
Local Government
3/7/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, the authority to mandate uniform hours is reserved for counties containing 355,000 inhabitants or greater without a clear rationale. The absence of uniform working hours and holidays among county departments can confuse taxpayers, who may be unsure when they can access services, and create communication challenges between departments.
S.B. 65 would allow counties with a population greater than 265,000 to adopt and enforce uniform rules on the work hours of employees whose compensation is set or approved by the commissioners court. This change would improve cohesion with each department and transparency with taxpayers.
As proposed, S.B. 65 amends current law relating to the adoption of uniform rules for hours of work for certain county employees.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 157.021(a), Local Government Code, as follows:
(a) Authorizes the commissioners court, in a county with a population of 265,000 or more, rather than 355,000 or more, to adopt and enforce uniform rules on the hours of work of department heads, assistants, deputies, and other employees whose compensation is set or approved by the court.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.