Bill Text: TX HB1077 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced

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

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-11-12 - Filed [HB1077 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-HB1077-Introduced.html

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By: Simmons H.B. No. 1077

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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.