Governor Abbott Vetoes Senate Bill 1032 (84R)
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 14, of the Texas Constitution, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove of and veto Senate Bill No. 1032 as passed by the Eighty-Fourth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, because of the following objections:
Under current law, state employees are authorized to maintain flexible work schedules-including work from home, where appropriate-if the head of their state agency provides written approval. This policy provides flexibility for those employees who need it while imposing management controls that minimize the potential for abuse of these privileges.
Senate Bill 1032 takes this process further and would allow an employee's immediate supervisor, rather than the agency head, to authorize flexible schedules and work from home. This would result in reduced accountability, inconsistent application, and greater potential for abuse. The bill's provisions regarding overtime and compensatory time earned away from the office are also problematic. Authorizing employees to earn overtime or compensatory time for work performed at home raises legitimate record-keeping and management concerns.
Since the Eighty-Fourth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, by its adjournment has prevented the return of this bill, I am filing these objections in the office of the Secretary of State and giving notice thereof by this public proclamation according to the aforementioned constitutional provision.
GREG ABBOTT
Governor
View a PDF of the veto here