Past President Andy Swann addressed the Board on the 2007 Legislative session and an review on bills submitted by the Association.
1) Pay for all employees – Sworn employees were to receive $670.000 from the Pay parity Fund. The Association lobbied to have $2 million added from the General Fund. The Legislature restricted the General Fund money to increase Officer’s only. Civilian pay was increased by 3% with .25% as performance pay.
2) Retiree Heath Care – Rep. Konopnicki ran a bill to extend the rural subsidy. Bill did not pass. Sen. O”Halleran ran a bill and was signed by the Governor to extend the subsity to June 30, 2009.
3) Dispatchers to CORP – Bill sponsored by Rep. McClure passed the House, but stalled in the Senate when the chairman of the Senate Retirement committee declined to have a hearing.
4) ID Required for Registering Vehicles – Rep. Pearce sponsored a bill, passed the House, but never heard in the Senate.
5) Industrial Injury Leave – Sen. O’Halleran sponsored a bill and signed into law.
6) ASRS Retirement Contributions – Rep. McClure declined to allow a statutory cap.
7) Tuition for DPS Employees – Sen. O’Halleran introduced a bill that would provide a tuition waiver scholarship. Universities were opposed. Bill passed our of the Senate Higer Ed committee, but no further.
8) HOV Exemption for Emergency Vehicles – We agreed to support this bill, but no bill was introduced.
9) DPS Badge – We agreed to support our Agency in certain areas of law pertaining to the DPS Badge. We opposed any change in the wording on the Badge. Rep. Miranda sponsored a bill allowed an officer to purchase his/her badge who promotes/retires or separates. Bill also created a class 1 misdemeanor for unlawful use of a DPS badge. Bill signed into law.
10)Prohibition of DVD players in view of drivers – Rep. Nelson & Sen. Gould sponsored bills which were never heard.
11)Prohibition of license plate covers – No sponsor or bill
12)Meet & Confer Fix – Sen. Gray sponsored a bill but later declined to hear it due to the inability of all parties to come to an agreement.
Article written by/or information provided by tcamos
