TITLE: Relating to the right of public employees to collectively bargain with governmental entities.

SUMMARY: Relating to the right of public employees to collectively bargain with governmental entities.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the right of public employees to collectively bargain with governmental entities. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 617.002, Government Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 617.002. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING BY PUBLIC EMPLOYEES [PROHIBITED].(a) An official of the state or of a political subdivision of the state may [not] enter into a collective bargaining contract with a labor organization regarding wages, hours, or conditions of employment of public employees. (b) [A contract entered into in violation of Subsection (a) is void. [(c)] An official of the state or of a political subdivision of the state may [not] recognize a labor organization as the bargaining agent for a group of public employees. SECTION 2. Section 617.003, Government Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 617.003. [PROHIBITION ON] STRIKES BY PUBLIC EMPLOYEES. (a) Public employees may [not] strike or engage in an organized work stoppage against the state or a political subdivision of the state. (b) [A public employee who violates Subsection (a) forfeits all civil service rights, reemployment rights, and any other rights, benefits, and privileges the employee enjoys as a result of public employment or former public employment. [(c)] The right of an individual to cease work may not be abridged if the individual is [not] acting in concert with others in an organized work stoppage. SECTION 3. Section 617.005, Government Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 617.005. EFFECT OF CHAPTER. This chapter does not impair the right of public employees to present grievances concerning their wages, hours of employment, or conditions of work either individually or through a representative that claims [does not claim] the right to strike. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.