LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE

CHAPTER 150. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS AFFECTING MUNICIPAL OFFICERS 
AND EMPLOYEES

SUBCHAPTER A. INVOLVEMENT OF FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS IN 
POLITICAL ACTIVITIES


	§ 150.001.  APPLICATION OF SUBCHAPTER TO CERTAIN 
MUNICIPALITIES WITH POPULATION OF 10,000 OR MORE.  This subchapter 
applies only to a municipality with a population of 10,000 or more, 
but does not apply to a municipality in which Chapter 143 applies.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1, § 34(a), eff. Aug. 28, 
1989.       


	§ 150.002.  POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.  (a)  While in uniform 
or on active duty, an employee of the fire or police department of 
the municipality may not engage in a political activity relating to 
a campaign for an elective office.
	(b)  For the purposes of this section, a person engages in a 
political activity if the person:
		(1)  makes a public political speech supporting or 
opposing a candidate;    
		(2)  distributes a card or other political literature 
relating to the campaign of a candidate;
		(3)  wears a campaign button;                                                 
		(4)  circulates or signs a petition for a candidate;                          
		(5)  solicits votes for a candidate; or                                       
		(6)  solicits campaign contributions for a candidate.                         
	(c)  While out of uniform and not on active duty, an employee 
of the fire or police department may engage in a political activity 
relating to a campaign for an elective office, including each 
activity listed by Subsection (b), except that the person may not 
solicit campaign contributions for a candidate other than from 
members of an employee organization to which that person belongs.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1, § 34(a), eff. Aug. 28, 
1989.       


	§ 150.003.  RESTRICTION PROHIBITED.  The municipality 
may not restrict the right of an employee of the fire or police 
department to engage in a political activity permitted by this 
subchapter.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1, § 34(a), eff. Aug. 28, 
1989.       

SUBCHAPTER B. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS


	§ 150.021.  RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR MUNICIPAL 
EMPLOYEES.  (a)  A municipality may not require residency within 
the municipal limits as a condition of employment with the 
municipality.  A municipality may require residency within the 
United States as a condition of employment.
	(b)  The prohibition under Subsection (a) does not apply to 
residency requirements for:
		(1)  candidates for or holders of a municipal office, 
including a position on the governing body of the municipality; or
		(2)  municipal department heads appointed by the mayor 
or governing body of the municipality.
	(c)  The governing body of a municipality may prescribe 
reasonable standards with respect to the time within which 
municipal employees who reside outside the municipal limits must 
respond to a civil emergency.  The standards may not be imposed 
retroactively on any person in the employ of the municipality at the 
time the standards are adopted.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1, § 35(a), eff. Aug. 28, 
1989.