reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 654 - Position Classification › Subchapter D. Other Laws › Section 654.062. Conflict With Laws Relating to Employee Merit Systems in Certain Agencies

Sec. 654.062.  CONFLICT WITH LAWS RELATING TO EMPLOYEE MERIT SYSTEMS IN CERTAIN AGENCIES.  Sections 654.015 and 654.061 do not abrogate statutory authorization for a state agency to operate under an employee merit system as a condition for qualifying for federal grants-in-aid.  A merit system agreed to by a state agency and an agency of the federal government shall continue in effect, subject to applicable state law.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 655 - Merit Selection › Section 655.001. Applicability

Sec. 655.001.  APPLICABILITY.  This chapter applies only to a state agency that is required by federal law or regulation to use a merit system of personnel administration for the agency or for a program administered under the agency.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 655 - Merit Selection › Section 655.002. Merit Selection Principles

Sec. 655.002.  MERIT SELECTION PRINCIPLES.  (a)  A state agency by rule shall establish intraagency policies and procedures to ensure:
(1)  compliance with the federal requirements;  and
(2)  the recruitment, selection, and advancement of highly competent agency personnel.
(b)  A rule adopted under this section must ensure that the state agency:
(1)  recruits, selects, and promotes its employees according to the relative abilities, knowledge, and skills of the applicants or employees;
(2)  provides equitable and adequate compensation to an employee;
(3)  provides any employee training necessary to ensure performance of a high quality;
(4)  uses the adequacy of an employee's job performance to determine whether the employee will be retained;
(5)  treats a job applicant or employee fairly in all aspects of personnel administration;
(6)  complies fully with state and federal equal opportunity and nondiscrimination laws;  and
(7)  protects an employee against coercion for partisan political purposes and prohibits the employee from using employment status to interfere with or affect the result of an election or nomination for office.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 655 - Merit Selection › Section 655.003. Additional Merit Selection Principles

Sec. 655.003.  ADDITIONAL MERIT SELECTION PRINCIPLES.  A state agency shall implement any additional merit principles required by federal law or regulation.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 655 - Merit Selection › Section 655.004. Administration of Merit Selection

Sec. 655.004.  ADMINISTRATION OF MERIT SELECTION.  A state agency may create a separate division within the agency to administer merit selection policies and procedures if the chief executive of the agency considers the creation necessary.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter A. Employment Openings › Section 656.001. State Agency Employment Opening

Sec. 656.001.  STATE AGENCY EMPLOYMENT OPENING.  Any agency, board, bureau, commission, committee, council, court, department, institution, or office in the executive or judicial branch of state government that has an employment opening for which persons from outside the agency will be considered shall list the opening with the Texas Workforce Commission.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 817, Sec. 10.05, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter A. Employment Openings › Section 656.002. Online State Agency Employment Applications

Sec. 656.002.  ONLINE STATE AGENCY EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS.  (a)  In this section, "state agency" does not include an institution of higher education or university system as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.
(b)  The online system for listing state agency employment openings maintained by the Texas Workforce Commission must allow an applicant for employment to complete a single state application online and enter the application into an online database from which the applicant may electronically send the application to multiple state agencies.
(c)  The Texas Workforce Commission shall:
(1)  prescribe a standard electronic format for the online application described by Subsection (b); and
(2)  ensure that the commission's online system allows an applicant to submit and a state agency to receive an online application for state agency employment.
(d)  A state agency shall accept an application for an employment opening from the online system maintained by the Texas Workforce Commission.
(e)  This section does not prohibit a state agency from accepting an application for an employment opening in a manner other than the manner described by this section.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 273 (H.B. 426), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter A. Employment Openings › Section 656.003. Military Occupational Specialty Codes on Notices of Employment Openings

Sec. 656.003.  MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY CODES ON NOTICES OF EMPLOYMENT OPENINGS.  A state agency shall include on all forms and notices related to a state agency employment opening the military occupational specialty code for each branch of the armed forces of the United States, identified as provided by Section 654.0375, that corresponds to the employment opening if the duties of the available position correlate with a military occupational specialty.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 111 (S.B. 389), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.
Redesignated from Government Code, Section 656.002 by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 324 (S.B. 1488), Sec. 24.001(19), eff. September 1, 2017.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter B. Job Notices › Section 656.021. Definitions

Sec. 656.021.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter:
(1)  "Commission" means the Texas Workforce Commission.
(2)  "State agency" means:
(A)  a department, commission, board, office, or other agency that:
(i)  is in the executive branch of state government;
(ii)  has authority that is not limited to a geographical portion of this state;  and
(iii)  was created by the constitution or a statute of this state;  or
(B)  a university system or an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, other than a public junior college.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 817, Sec. 10.06, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter B. Job Notices › Section 656.022. Submission of Job Information Forms

Sec. 656.022.  SUBMISSION OF JOB INFORMATION FORMS.  As soon as possible after a job vacancy occurs or is filled in Travis County in a state agency, the agency shall complete and deliver to the commission the appropriate information form prescribed by the commission and pertaining to the job vacancy or placement.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.  Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 760, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter B. Job Notices › Section 656.023. Job Information Forms

Sec. 656.023.  JOB INFORMATION FORMS.  (a)  The commission shall prescribe the forms for information from state agencies necessary for the commission to serve as a central processing agency for state agency job opportunities in Travis County.
(b)  A form prescribed by the commission under Subsection (a) must include a space for a state agency to list a military occupational specialty code as provided by Section 656.003.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 111 (S.B. 389), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 324 (S.B. 1488), Sec. 24.002(9), eff. September 1, 2017.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter B. Job Notices › Section 656.024. Public Notice of Job Vacancies

Sec. 656.024.  PUBLIC NOTICE OF JOB VACANCIES.  The commission shall publicly list, in accordance with the commission's procedures, for at least 10 working days, each notice of a job vacancy delivered under Section 656.022 unless the commission is sooner notified by the state agency having the vacancy that the vacancy has been filled.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter B. Job Notices › Section 656.025. Other Efforts to Inform Sources of Vacancies

Sec. 656.025.  OTHER EFFORTS TO INFORM SOURCES OF VACANCIES.  A state agency is encouraged to continue other efforts used to inform outside applicant recruitment sources of job vacancies.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter B. Job Notices › Section 656.026. Job Notice Posting Waiver

Sec. 656.026.  JOB NOTICE POSTING WAIVER.  A state agency is not required to comply with the requirements of this subchapter or Subchapter A when the agency transfers or reassigns an employee as part of a reorganization or merger mandated by the legislature if the executive head of the agency certifies that the transfer or reassignment is necessary for the proper implementation of the reorganization or merger.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter B. Job Notices › Section 656.027. Military Employment Preference on State Employment Forms

Sec. 656.027.  MILITARY EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE ON STATE EMPLOYMENT FORMS.  The commission shall include on all forms relating to state agency employment that are prescribed by the commission under this subchapter or other law a statement regarding the requirement prescribed by Chapter 657 that each state agency give a military employment preference until the agency workforce is composed of at least 20 percent individuals who qualify for a military employment preference under Section 657.002.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 69, Sec. 2, eff. May 16, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1100 (S.B. 1376), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter C. Training › Section 656.041. Short Title

Sec. 656.041.  SHORT TITLE.  This subchapter may be cited as the State Employees Training Act.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter C. Training › Section 656.042. Findings and Purpose

Sec. 656.042.  FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.  Programs for the training and education of state administrators and employees materially aid effective state administration, and public money spent on those programs serves an important public purpose.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter C. Training › Section 656.043. Definition

Sec. 656.043.  DEFINITION.  In this subchapter, "state agency" means a department, agency, or institution of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of state government, including an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 366 (H.B. 3337), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter C. Training › Section 656.044. Public Funds for Training and Education

Sec. 656.044.  PUBLIC FUNDS FOR TRAINING AND EDUCATION.  A state agency may use public funds to provide training and education for its administrators and employees.  The training or education must be related to the duties or prospective duties of the administrator or employee.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter C. Training › Section 656.045. Required Attendance at Program

Sec. 656.045.  REQUIRED ATTENDANCE AT PROGRAM.  A state agency may require an administrator or employee of the agency to attend, as all or part of the administrator's or employee's duties, a training or education program if the training or education is related to the administrator's or employee's duties or prospective duties.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter C. Training › Section 656.046. Purposes of Program

Sec. 656.046.  PURPOSES OF PROGRAM.  A state agency's training and educational program may include:
(1)  preparing for technological and legal developments;
(2)  increasing work capabilities;
(3)  increasing the number of qualified employees in areas designated by institutions of higher education as having an acute faculty shortage;  and
(4)  increasing the competence of state employees.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter C. Training › Section 656.047. Payment of Program and Certification Examination Expenses

Sec. 656.047.  PAYMENT OF PROGRAM AND CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION EXPENSES. (a) Except as provided by this section or other law, a state agency may spend public funds as appropriate to pay the salary, tuition and other fees, travel and living expenses, training stipend, expense of training materials, and other necessary expenses of an instructor, student, or other participant in a training or education program.
(a-1)  A state agency may spend public funds as appropriate to reimburse a state agency employee or administrator who serves in an information technology, cybersecurity, or other cyber-related position for fees associated with industry-recognized certification examinations.
(b)  For an administrator or employee of a state agency who seeks reimbursement for a training or education program offered by an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, the agency may only pay the tuition expenses for a program course successfully completed by the administrator or employee at an accredited institution of higher education.
(c)  A state agency that spends more than $5,000 in a state fiscal year for a training or education program for any individual administrator or employee shall, not later than August 31 of that year, submit to the Legislative Budget Board a report including:
(1)  a list of the administrators and employees participating in a training or education program;
(2)  the amount spent on each administrator or employee; and
(3)  the certification earned by each administrator or employee through the training or education program.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 366 (H.B. 3337), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 526 (S.B. 255), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 509 (S.B. 64), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 509 (S.B. 64), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2019.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter C. Training › Section 656.048. Rules Relating to Training and Education

Sec. 656.048.  RULES RELATING TO TRAINING AND EDUCATION.  (a)  A state agency shall adopt rules relating to:
(1)  the eligibility of the agency's administrators and employees for training and education supported by the agency;  and
(2)  the obligations assumed by the administrators and employees on receiving the training and education.
(b)  A state agency shall adopt rules requiring that before an administrator or employee of the agency may be reimbursed under Section 656.047(b),  the executive head of the agency must authorize the tuition reimbursement payment.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 200, Sec. 16(g), eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 366 (H.B. 3337), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2015.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter C. Training › Section 656.049. Authority to Contract

Sec. 656.049.  AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT.  A state agency may contract with another state, local, or federal department, agency, or institution, including a state-supported college or university, to train or educate its administrators and employees or may join in presenting a training or educational program.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter C. Training › Section 656.050. Training in Contract Negotiation for Purchases of Information Resources Technologies

Sec. 656.050.  TRAINING IN CONTRACT NEGOTIATION FOR PURCHASES OF INFORMATION RESOURCES TECHNOLOGIES.  (a)  In this section:
(1)  "Department" means the Department of Information Resources.
(2)  "Information resources technologies" has the meaning assigned by Section 2054.003.
(a-1)  The department, with the cooperation of the comptroller and other appropriate state agencies, shall develop and implement a program to train state agency personnel in effectively negotiating contracts for the purchase of information resources technologies.
(b)  The department shall make the training available to state agency personnel who are directly or indirectly involved in contract negotiations, such as senior or operational management, purchasers, users of the purchased technologies, and personnel with relevant technical, legal, or financial knowledge.  State agency personnel directly involved in contract negotiations for the purchase of information resources technologies shall complete the training developed by the department.
(c)  The department shall include in the training:
(1)  information on developing a structured purchasing method that meets an agency's needs;
(2)  information drawn from the state's previous procurement experience about what is or is not advantageous for the state;
(3)  the perspective of state agencies with oversight responsibilities related to the state's procurement of information resources technologies;
(4)  information on how to use contracts entered into by the department under Section 2157.068; and
(5)  other information that the department considers to be useful.
(d)  The department may use its own staff or contract with private entities or other state agencies to conduct the training.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 538, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.  Renumbered from Government Code Sec. 2054.060 by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 19.01(56), eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 937 (H.B. 3560), Sec. 1.65, eff. September 1, 2007.
Transferred, redesignated and amended from Government Code, Section 2054.057 by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 526 (S.B. 255), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2017.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter C. Training › Section 656.053. Training for Governing Bodies

Sec. 656.053.  TRAINING FOR GOVERNING BODIES.  (a)  In this section, "state agency" has the meaning assigned by Section 2056.001.
(a-1)  The comptroller shall adapt the program developed under Section 656.052 to provide an abbreviated program for training the members of the governing bodies of state agencies.  The training may be provided together with other required training for members of state agency governing bodies.
(b)  All members of the governing body of a state agency shall complete at least one course of the training provided under this section.  This subsection does not apply to a state agency that does not enter into any contracts.
(c)  The comptroller may assess a fee for the training provided under this section in an amount sufficient to recover the comptroller's costs under this section.
(d)  This section does not apply to the Texas Transportation Commission.
Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1227 (S.B. 1681), Sec. 4, eff. November 1, 2013.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 326 (S.B. 20), Sec. 20, eff. September 1, 2015.
Transferred, redesignated and amended from Government Code, Section 2262.0535 by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 526 (S.B. 255), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2017.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter C. Training › Section 656.054. Purchasing and Contract Management Training by Comptroller

Sec. 656.054.  PURCHASING AND CONTRACT MANAGEMENT TRAINING BY COMPTROLLER.  (a)  The comptroller shall develop training programs provided by the comptroller under this subchapter to meet the needs of state agencies.
(b)  Each year a state agency shall estimate the number of employees requiring purchasing or contract management training and report the anticipated training needs of the state agency to the comptroller in the manner and form prescribed by the comptroller.
(c)  On an annual basis the comptroller shall assess the number of employees requiring purchasing or contract management training and shall maintain a regular schedule of classes to accommodate that number.
(d)  The comptroller may use staff or contract with private or public entities, including state agencies, to conduct the training.
(e)  The comptroller may assess a fee for a training program, including continuing education and certification, in an amount sufficient to recover the costs incurred by the comptroller to provide the training program under this subchapter.
Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 526 (S.B. 255), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2017.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter C. Training › Section 656.055. Purchasing and Contract Management Training by Agency

Sec. 656.055.  PURCHASING AND CONTRACT MANAGEMENT TRAINING BY AGENCY.  (a)  A state agency, in consultation with the comptroller, may develop agency-specific purchasing and contract management training programs to be administered by the agency to the agency's employees instead of or as a supplement to training programs developed by the comptroller under this subchapter.
(b)  An employee who participates in an agency-specific training program under this section remains subject to any other applicable certification requirements established for training programs under this subchapter, including written or oral examinations administered by the comptroller.
Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 526 (S.B. 255), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2017.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter D. Restrictions on Certain Training › Section 656.101. Definitions

Sec. 656.101.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter:
(1)  "State agency" has the meaning assigned by Section 656.043.
(1-a)  "State employee" has the meaning assigned by Section 572.002.
(2)  "Training" means instruction, teaching, or other education received by a state employee that is not normally received by other state employees and that is designed to enhance the ability of the employee to perform the employee's job.  The term includes a course of study at an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, if the employing state agency spends money to assist the state employee to meet the expense of the course of study or pays salary to the employee to undertake the course of study as an assigned duty.  The term does not include training required either by state or federal law or that is determined necessary by the agency and offered to all employees of the agency performing similar jobs.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1178, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 366 (H.B. 3337), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2015.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter D. Restrictions on Certain Training › Section 656.102. Agency Policy

Sec. 656.102.  AGENCY POLICY. (a) Before a state agency spends any money on training for a state employee, the state agency must adopt a policy governing the training of employees, in addition to the rules required by Section 656.048, that requires training to relate to an employee's duties following the training.
(b)  The policy must:
(1)  provide clear and objective guidelines to govern tuition reimbursement for an administrator or employee of a state agency who is enrolled in training for which the administrator or employee seeks reimbursement from this state; and
(2)  address tuition reimbursement for nontraditional training, including online courses or courses not credited towards a degree.
(c)  The state agency shall post the policy adopted under this section on the employment section of the agency's Internet website.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1178, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 366 (H.B. 3337), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2015.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter D. Restrictions on Certain Training › Section 656.103. Restrictions

Sec. 656.103.  RESTRICTIONS.  (a)  If a state employee receives training that is paid for by a state agency, and during the training period the employee does not perform the employee's regular duties for three or more months as a result of the training, a policy adopted under Section 656.102 must include a requirement that the employee:
(1)  work for the agency following the training for at least one month for each month of the training period;  or
(2)  pay the agency for all the costs associated with the training that were paid during the training period, including any amounts of the employee's salary that were paid and that were not accounted for as paid vacation or compensatory leave.
(b)  Before a state employee receives training that will be paid for by a state agency and during which the employee will not be performing the employee's regular duties for three months or more, the agency shall require the employee to agree in writing, before the training begins, to comply with the requirements prescribed under Subsection (a).
(c)  By an order adopted in a public meeting, the governing body of a state agency may waive the requirements prescribed under Subsection (a) and release a state employee from the obligation to meet those requirements if the governing body finds that such action is in the best interest of the agency or is warranted because of an extreme personal hardship suffered by the employee.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1178, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 656 - Job Notices and Training › Subchapter D. Restrictions on Certain Training › Section 656.104. Liability

Sec. 656.104.  LIABILITY.  If a state employee does not provide the services required in accordance with Section 656.103(a)(1), provides those services for less than the required term, or fails to make payments required in accordance with Section 656.103(a)(2) and the employee is not released from the obligation to provide the services or to make the payments under Section 656.103(c), the employee is liable to the state agency for any costs described by Section 656.103(a)(2) and for the agency's reasonable expenses incurred in obtaining payment, including reasonable attorney's fees.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1178, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 657 - Military Employment Preferences › Section 657.001. Definitions

Sec. 657.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:
(1)  "State agency" means a board, commission, council, committee, department, office, agency, or other governmental entity in the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of state government, including an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.
(2)  "Veteran" has the meaning assigned by Section 2308.251.
(3)  "Veteran with a disability" means a veteran who is classified as disabled by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its successor or the branch of the service in which the veteran served and whose disability is service-connected.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 195 (S.B. 805), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 657 - Military Employment Preferences › Section 657.002. Individuals Qualified for Military Employment Preference

Sec. 657.002.  INDIVIDUALS QUALIFIED FOR MILITARY EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE.  The following individuals qualify for a military employment preference:
(1)  a veteran, including a veteran with a disability;
(2)  a veteran's surviving spouse who has not remarried;
(3)  an orphan of a veteran if the veteran was killed while on active duty;
(4)  the spouse of a member of the United States armed forces or Texas National Guard serving on active duty; and
(5)  the spouse of a veteran if the spouse is the primary source of income for the household and the veteran has a total disability rating based either on having a service-connected disability with a disability rating of at least 70 percent or on individual unemployability.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.  Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 854, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 195 (S.B. 805), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.
Amended by:
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1100 (S.B. 1376), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2023.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 657 - Military Employment Preferences › Section 657.003. Military Employment Preference

Sec. 657.003.  MILITARY EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE.  (a)  An individual who qualifies for a military employment preference is entitled to a preference in employment with or appointment to a state agency over other applicants for the same position who do not have a greater qualification.
(b)  A state agency shall provide to an individual entitled to a military employment preference for employment or appointment over other applicants for the same position who do not have a greater qualification a military employment preference, in the following order of priority:
(1)  a veteran with a disability;
(2)  a veteran;
(3)  a spouse described by Section 657.002(4) or (5);
(4)  a veteran's surviving spouse who has not remarried; and
(5)  an orphan of a veteran if the veteran was killed while on active duty.
(c)  If a state agency requires a competitive examination under a merit system or civil service plan for selecting or promoting employees, an individual entitled to a military employment preference who otherwise is qualified for that position and who has received at least the minimum required score for the test is entitled to have a service credit of 10 points added to the test score.  A veteran with a disability is entitled to have a service credit of five additional points added to the individual's test score.
(d)  An individual entitled to a military employment preference is not disqualified from holding a position with a state agency because of age or an established service-connected disability if the age or disability does not make the individual incompetent to perform the duties of the position.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 195 (S.B. 805), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.
Amended by:
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1100 (S.B. 1376), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2023.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 657 - Military Employment Preferences › Section 657.004. Veteran Employment Goal for State Agencies

Sec. 657.004.  VETERAN EMPLOYMENT GOAL FOR STATE AGENCIES.  (a)  Each state agency shall establish a goal of hiring, in full-time positions at the agency, a number of veterans equal to at least 20 percent of the total number of employees of the state agency.
(b)  A state agency may establish a veteran employment goal that is greater than the percentage required under Subsection (a).
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.  Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 854, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 195 (S.B. 805), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 657 - Military Employment Preferences › Section 657.0045. Designation of Open Position for and Immediate Hiring of Individual Entitled to Military Employment Preference

Sec. 657.0045.  DESIGNATION OF OPEN POSITION FOR AND IMMEDIATE HIRING OF INDIVIDUAL ENTITLED TO MILITARY EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE.  (a)  A state agency may designate an open position as a military preference position and only accept applications for that position from individuals who are entitled to a military employment preference under Section 657.003.
(b)  Notwithstanding any other law, a state agency may hire or appoint for an open position within the agency an individual entitled to a military employment preference under Section 657.003 without announcing or advertising the position if the agency:
(1)  uses the automated labor exchange system administered by the Texas Workforce Commission to identify an individual who qualifies for a military employment preference under this chapter; and
(2)  determines the individual meets the qualifications required for the position.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 195 (S.B. 805), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.
Amended by:
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1100 (S.B. 1376), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2023.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 657 - Military Employment Preferences › Section 657.0046. State Agency Liaison for Veterans, Military Members, and Their Dependents

Sec. 657.0046.  STATE AGENCY LIAISON FOR VETERANS, MILITARY MEMBERS, AND THEIR DEPENDENTS.  (a)  Each state agency that has at least 500 full-time equivalent positions shall designate an individual from the agency to serve as a liaison for veterans, military members, and their dependents.
(b)  A state agency that has fewer than 500 full-time equivalent positions may designate an individual from the agency to serve as the liaison described by Subsection (a).
(c)  Each state agency that designates a liaison under this section shall make available on the agency's Internet website the liaison's individual work contact information.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 195 (S.B. 805), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.
Amended by:
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1100 (S.B. 1376), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2023.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 657 - Military Employment Preferences › Section 657.0047. Interviews at State Agencies

Sec. 657.0047.  INTERVIEWS AT STATE AGENCIES.  (a)  For each announced open position at a state agency, the state agency shall interview:
(1)  if the total number of individuals interviewed for the position is six or fewer, at least one individual qualified for a military employment preference under Section 657.003; or
(2)  if the total number of individuals interviewed for the position is more than six, a number of individuals qualified for a military employment preference under Section 657.003 equal to at least 20 percent of the total number interviewed.
(b)  A state agency that does not receive any applications from individuals who qualify for a military employment preference under Section 657.003 is not required to comply with Subsection (a).
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 195 (S.B. 805), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.
Amended by:
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1100 (S.B. 1376), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2023.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 657 - Military Employment Preferences › Section 657.005. Employment Investigation

Sec. 657.005.  EMPLOYMENT INVESTIGATION.  (a)  The individual whose duty is to appoint or employ an applicant for a position with a state agency or an officer or the chief administrator of the agency who receives an application for appointment or employment by an individual entitled to a military employment preference, before appointing or employing any individual, shall investigate the qualifications of the applicant for the position.
(b)  An applicant who is a veteran with a disability shall furnish the official records to the individual whose duty is to fill the position.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 195 (S.B. 805), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.
Amended by:
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1100 (S.B. 1376), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2023.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 657 - Military Employment Preferences › Section 657.006. Federal Law and Grants

Sec. 657.006.  FEDERAL LAW AND GRANTS.  To the extent that this chapter conflicts with federal law or a limitation provided by a federal grant to a state agency, this chapter shall be construed to operate in harmony with the federal law or limitation of the federal grant.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 195 (S.B. 805), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 657 - Military Employment Preferences › Section 657.007. Preference Applicable to Reduction in Workforce

Sec. 657.007.  PREFERENCE APPLICABLE TO REDUCTION IN WORKFORCE.  (a)  An individual entitled to a hiring or appointment preference under this chapter is also entitled to a preference in retaining employment if the state agency that employs or appoints the individual reduces its workforce.
(b)  The preference granted under this section applies only to the extent that a reduction in workforce by an employing state agency involves other employees of a similar type or classification.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 854, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 195 (S.B. 805), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 657 - Military Employment Preferences › Section 657.008. Reporting Requirements

Sec. 657.008.  REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.  (a)  A state agency shall file quarterly with the comptroller a report that states:
(1)  the percentage of the total number of employees hired or appointed by the agency during the reporting period who are persons entitled to a preference under this chapter;
(2)  the percentage of the total number of the agency's employees who are persons entitled to a preference under this chapter; and
(3)  the number of complaints filed with the executive director of the agency under Section 657.010 during that quarter and the number of those complaints resolved by the executive director.
(b)  The comptroller shall make each quarterly report filed under Subsection (a) available to the public on the comptroller's Internet website.
(c)  Not later than December 1 of each year, the comptroller shall file with the legislature a report that compiles and analyzes information that the comptroller receives from state agencies under Subsection (a).
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 854, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1016 (H.B. 1275), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 195 (S.B. 805), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 657 - Military Employment Preferences › Section 657.009. State Agencies to List Positions With Texas Workforce Commission

Sec. 657.009.  STATE AGENCIES TO LIST POSITIONS WITH TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION.  (a)  A state agency shall provide to the Texas Workforce Commission, under rules adopted under this section by the commission, information regarding an open position that is subject to the hiring or appointment preference required by this chapter.
(b)  The Texas Workforce Commission shall make available to the public the information provided by a state agency under Subsection (a).
(c)  To promote the purposes of this chapter, the Texas Workforce Commission shall adopt rules under this section that facilitate the exchange of employment information between state agencies and individuals entitled to a preference under this chapter.
(d)  The Texas Workforce Commission shall adopt forms and procedures necessary to administer this section.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 854, Sec. 3.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 817, Sec. 10.07, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 195 (S.B. 805), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 657 - Military Employment Preferences › Section 657.010. Complaint Regarding Employment Decision of State Agency

Sec. 657.010.  COMPLAINT REGARDING EMPLOYMENT DECISION OF STATE AGENCY.  (a)  An individual entitled to a military employment preference under this chapter who is aggrieved by a decision of a state agency to which this chapter applies relating to hiring or appointing the individual, or relating to retaining the individual if the state agency reduces its workforce, may appeal the decision by filing a written complaint with the executive director of the state agency under this section.
(b)  The executive director of a state agency that receives a written complaint under Subsection (a) shall respond to the complaint not later than the 15th business day after the date the executive director receives the complaint.  The executive director may render a different hiring or appointment decision than the decision that is the subject of the complaint if the executive director determines that the military preference was not applied.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1016 (H.B. 1275), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 195 (S.B. 805), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.
Amended by:
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1100 (S.B. 1376), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2023.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 658 - Hours of Labor › Section 658.001. Definitions

Sec. 658.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:
(1)  "Full-time state employee" means a person employed by a state agency who, if not participating in a voluntary work reduction program under Section 658.003, is required to work for the agency not less than 40 hours a week.
(2)  "State agency" means:
(A)  a board, commission, department, institution, office, or other agency in the executive branch of state government that is created by the constitution or a statute of this state, including an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, other than a public junior college;  or
(B)  the Supreme Court of Texas, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, a court of appeals, or other agency in the judicial branch.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1999;  Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 118, Sec. 2.11, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees › Subtitle B - State Officers and Employees › Chapter 658 - Hours of Labor › Section 658.002. Work Hours Required for Salaried Employees

Sec. 658.002.  WORK HOURS REQUIRED FOR SALARIED EMPLOYEES.  (a)  A state employee paid a full-time salary shall work not less than 40 hours a week.
(b)  The chief administrator of a state agency that must maintain certain services 24 hours a day may require essential employees who perform those services to be on duty for a workweek that exceeds 40 hours in necessary or emergency situations.
(c)  This section does not apply to a houseparent who is employed by and lives at a Texas Juvenile Justice Department facility.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 734 (H.B. 1549), Sec. 102, eff. September 1, 2015.