Simmons Bill Also Lets Public Employees Strike

The text as introduced · 324 words

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.