G O V E R N O RG OGVREERGN OARB BGORTETG A B B O T T
Date: June 1, 2016
To:
State Agency Heads
From: Governor Greg Abbott
Comptroller Glenn Hegar
RE:

New Emergency Leave Policy

It is our understanding the Texas Legislature intends to address the issue of employee leave
during the upcoming legislative session. Consequently, during the interim, we write to announce
a new policy regarding the use of employee leave. Specifically, this policy directs state agencies
to refrain from using emergency or other leave for the purposes of severance or settlement with
departing or departed state employees.
Pursuant to this directive, the use of emergency leave, administrative leave or other mechanisms
to continue paying state employees who have ceased to work will be prohibited. All agencies
subject to the direction of the governor must not make such payments to departing or departed
employees. This direction does not prohibit the payment of earned time to departing employees
as authorized by law.
The Office of Comptroller of Public Accounts will verify adherence to this policy by reviewing
emergency leave determinations on a post-payment audit basis. Agency documentation of
emergency leave determinations must contain a statement by the agency head or other
authorizing official that the leave is not being used in a manner precluded by this directive.
This directive will remain in place until the Texas Legislature has an opportunity to review this
matter and enact legislation regarding the use of employee leave.

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