Highlights from the week:
TSEA met this week with House Speaker Cameron Sexton to discuss TSEA legislative agenda items and important state employee issues and concerns. We are encouraged by the conversation and look forward to a productive relationship with Speaker Sexton.
This week TSEA learned that DCS is looking to end their relationship with the private company currently running operations at Mountain View Youth Development Center. We anticipate the Department will announce a new private vendor soon.
TSEA Executive Director Randy Stamps has expressed our concerns to department officials about continuing to have a private company operate the facility. TSEA has a meeting scheduled with DCS to discuss options, including the state taking over management of the facility. This is a developing story.
Update on TSEA Legislative Agenda Bills:
SB741/HB1207
Provision of childcare for state employees
Consideration of this bill was postponed (rolled) a week while Senator Kyle continues to work with the Departments of General Services and Human Services, as well as fellow state and local senate committee members, to improve the bill. The bill is set for Senate State & Local Government Committee on Tuesday, 02/18/20.
SB1773/HB2045
Increases Match on 401(k)
On February 10, the Joint Council on Pensions and Insurance released this bill to standing committees with unfavorable comment. TSEA is working with legislators on the bill and will likely amend the bill in the Senate. The bill is set for Senate State & Local Government Committee on Tuesday, 02/18/20.
SB621/HB644
Burden of proof
This bill successfully passed house calendar and rules on Thursday and is set for a vote on the House Floor on Thursday 02/20/20.
TSEA’s 2020 Legislative Agenda bills
(This list includes legislation initiated and/or supported by TSEA)
SB621/HB644
Proceedings against state employees
Sponsors: Sen. Hensley, Joey; Rep. Hill, Timothy
Cosponsors: Rep. Dunn, Bill; Rep. Hawk, David; Sen. Yager, Ken Summary: Requires a state agency in any proceeding to suspend, terminate, or discipline an employee in state service to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the employee violated state law or a rule or policy of the agency prior to taking such action.
Senate Status: 04/16/19 – Senate State & Local Government Committee deferred to summer study.
House Status: 02/13/20 – Set for House Floor 02/20/20.
SB741/HB1207 SB1773/HB2045 SB2278/HB2382 SB2405/HB2742 SB2882/HB2715
SB689/HB900
Longevity pay for employees of the executive branch
Sponsors: Sen. Jackson, Ed; Rep. Sparks, Mike
Cosponsors: Sen. Bailey, Paul; Rep. Byrd, David; Rep. Calfee, Kent; Rep. Dixie, Vincent; Rep. Hawk, David; Sen. Hensley, Joey; Rep. Hill, Matthew; Rep. Hill, Timothy; Rep. Holt, Andy; Rep. Howell, Dan; Rep. Johnson, Gloria; Rep. Keisling, Kelly; Rep. Leatherwood, Tom; Sen. Massey, Becky; Rep. Moody, Debra; Rep. Moon, Jerome; Sen. Niceley, Frank; Rep. Russell, Lowell; Sen. Southerland, Steve; Rep. Staples, Rick; Sen. Swann, Art; Rep. VanHuss, James
Summary: Restores longevity pay for employees of the executive branch in the service of the state hired after June 30, 2015.
Senate Status: 04/10/19 – Senate State & Local Government Committee deferred to summer study.
House Status: 04/30/19 – Taken off notice in House Finance, Ways & Means Subcommittee.
Provision of childcare for state employees
Sponsors: Sen. Kyle, Sara; Rep. Mitchell, Bo
Summary: Authorizes state agencies to provide childcare services for state employees, with the department of human services tasked to approve, administer, and coordinate such services. Requires cost of childcare services be offset by fees, requires providers be selected by competitive contract.
Senate Status: 02/12/20 – Set for Senate State & Local Government Committee 02/18/20.
House Status: 01/15/20 – Returned to House clerk’s desk.
SB1723/HB1821
Increases retirement benefits for state employees
Sponsors: Sen. Kyle, Sara; Rep. Hodges, Jason
Cosponsors: Sen. Robinson, Katrina
Summary: Equally increases retirement benefits for currently retired state employees when current state employees receive compensation increases. Broadly captioned
Senate Status: 01/23/20 – Referred to Senate State & Local Government Committee.
House Status: 01/27/20 – Referred to House Public Service & Employee Subcommittee.
Increases maximum matching retirement amount required by the state
Sponsors: Sen. Briggs, Richard; Rep. Hicks, Gary
Cosponsors: Rep. Lamberth, William
Summary: Increases the maximum amount of money per month the state is required to match for employees’ optional retirement plans from $40 to $75. Broadly captioned.
Senate Status: 02/12/20 – Set for Senate State & Local Government Committee 02/18/20.
House Status: 02/04/20 – Referred to House Public Service & Employee Subcommittee.
Creation of the state employee merit pay fund
Sponsors: Sen. Stevens, John; Rep. Hazlewood, Patsy
Summary: Creates the state employee merit pay fund. Requires funds designated to the merit pay fund only be disbursed in accordance with law solely for the payment of merit pay. Broadly captioned.
Senate Status: 02/10/20 – Referred to Senate State & Local Government Committee.
House Status: 02/10/20 – Referred to House Public Service & Employee Subcommittee.
Increases number of state employees on the state insurance committee
Sponsors: Sen. Kyle, Sara; Rep. Miller, Larry
Summary: Increases the number of state employee members on the state insurance committee from three to five. Establishes requirements regarding the qualifications of three of the committee members.
Senate Status: 02/10/20 – Referred to Senate State & Local Government Committee.
House Status: 02/10/20 – Caption bill held on House clerk’s desk.
Pay supplement to emergency medical professionals for completing training
Sponsors: Sen. Bailey, Paul; Rep. Windle, John
Cosponsors: Rep. Crawford, John; Rep. Griffey, Bruce; Rep. Towns Jr., Joe
Summary: Requires any unit of government with emergency medical professionals to provide a $1,000 pay supplement for the completion of 40 hours of in-service training. Requires that funds be used only as a cash salary bonus and prohibits use to supplement existing salaries or normal salary increases. Broadly captioned.
Senate Status: 02/10/20 – Referred to Senate State & Local Government Committee.
House Status: 02/11/20 – Referred to House Public Service & Employee Subcommittee.
