BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 4579

By: Walle

State Affairs

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

State agencies often get requests from new employees transitioning from the private sector for the option to be paid more than once a month, which is common practice in the private sector. Although state law authorizes certain state agency employees to be compensated twice a month if specified conditions are met, this authorization is limited to employees in positions classified below salary group A12. C.S.H.B. 4579 seeks to expand the number of state employees who are eligible to be paid twice a month to include an employee of an applicable state agency who holds a position that is classified in salary group A12, A13, A14, A15, A16, or A17 under classification salary Schedule A in the General Appropriations Act. This proposed change will allow these agencies to better recruit and retain employees who desire compensation twice per month, particularly new hires who may be more familiar with this payment structure.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 4579 amends the Government Code to authorize any of the following state agencies to elect to pay employment compensation twice a month to an employee who holds a position that is classified in salary group A12, A13, A14, A15, A16, or A17 under classification salary Schedule A in the General Appropriations Act:

·         the Health and Human Services Commission;

·         the Texas Department of Transportation;

·         the Texas Workforce Commission;

·         the Department of Public Safety; or

·         any other state agency designated by the comptroller of public accounts.

The bill requires an agency that makes such an election to satisfy the comptroller's requirements relating to the payment of compensation twice a month.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 4579 may differ from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

The substitute includes a requirement not in the introduced for an agency that makes the election to satisfy the comptroller's requirements relating to payment of compensation twice a month.