TITLE: Relating to the relationship between public employers and fire and police employees.

SUMMARY: Relating to the relationship between public employers and fire and police employees.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the relationship between public employers and fire and police employees. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 174.002(a), Local Government Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) The policy of this state is that a political subdivision shall provide its fire fighters and police officers with compensation and other conditions of employment that are substantially equal to [the same as] compensation and other conditions of employment that prevail [prevailing] in comparable fire and police departments [private sector employment].SECTION 2. Section 174.021, Local Government Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 174.021. COMPENSATION [PREVAILING WAGE] AND WORKING CONDITIONS REQUIRED. A political subdivision that employs fire fighters, police officers, or both, shall provide those employees with compensation and other conditions of employment that are [: [(1)] substantially equal to compensation and other conditions of employment that prevail in comparable fire or police departments, as applicable [employment in the private sector; and [(2) based on prevailing private sector compensation and conditions of employment in the labor market area in other jobs that require the same or similar skills, ability, and training and may be performed under the same or similar conditions].SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.