TITLE: Relating to the adoption of a training manual for certain state officers.

SUMMARY: Relating to the adoption of a training manual for certain state officers.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the adoption of a training manual for certain state officers. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 6, Government Code, is amended by adding Chapter 673 to read as follows: CHAPTER 673. TRAINING MANUAL FOR CERTAIN STATE OFFICERS Sec. 673.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Executive head of a state agency" has the meaning assigned by Section 669.001. (2) "State agency" means a department, board, commission, or other agency in the executive branch of state government. The term does not include an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code. Sec. 673.002. TRAINING MANUAL. (a) The governing body of a state agency or the single state officer who governs an agency shall adopt a training manual as provided by this section. The executive head of a state agency governed by a governing body shall ensure that each member of the body receives a copy of the manual each year. (b) The training manual must include, at a minimum: (1) the scope of and limitations on the rulemaking authority of the governing body or officer; (2) the distinction between the governing body's or officer's rulemaking authority and the authority of the legislature; (3) the ethical considerations involved in communications between the officer or members of the governing body and persons required to register as lobbyists under Chapter 305; (4) the procedures by which the officer or a member of a governing body must disclose a conflict of interest; and (5) rules and state laws applicable to the officer or members of the governing body. (c) A person who is a member of the governing body of a state agency shall submit annually to the executive head of the state agency a statement affirming receipt of the training manual. SECTION 2. Not later than June 1, 2016, the governing body of a state agency or the single state officer who governs the agency shall adopt the training manual required by Section 673.002, Government Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.