bill requiring minimum job requirements before state postings

The text as introduced · 326 words

89R8507 LRM-D

By: Cole
H.B. No. 1861

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the minimum requirements for state employee positions.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subtitle A, Title 6, Government Code, is amended

by adding Chapter 621 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 621. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE EMPLOYEE POSITIONS

Sec. 621.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Direct experience" means any verifiable,

previous work experience in which:

(A) the applicant's primary duties were

consistent with the primary duties of the vacant position; or

(B) the skills necessary to perform the

applicant's primary duties are transferable to the vacant position.

(2) "Minimum requirements" means the minimum skills,

previous training, or previous experience necessary to perform the

primary duties of a position of employment.

(3) "State agency" has the meaning assigned by Section

2052.101.

Sec. 621.002. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS. (a) Before seeking

applicants for a vacant position, a state agency must determine the

minimum requirements for the position, including:

(1) direct experience relevant to the position; and

(2) any certification or coursework required for the

position.

(b) A state agency may establish direct experience in a

similar position as an alternative to a postsecondary degree for a

minimum requirement for a position of employment.

SECTION 2. (a) Chapter 621, Government Code, as added by

this Act, applies only to an application submitted for a vacant

state employee position on or after the effective date of this Act.

An application submitted before the effective date of this Act is

governed by the law in effect on the date the application was

submitted, and the former law is continued in effect for that

purpose.

(b) A state agency subject to Chapter 621, Government Code,

as added by this Act, shall determine the minimum requirements for

each vacant position the agency seeks to fill on or after the

effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.