State agencies generally may not deduct from covered employees’ compensation unless a deduction is authorized by law.
Sec. 659.002. DEDUCTIONS. (a) A state agency may not make a deduction from the compensation paid to an officer or employee whose compensation is paid in full or in part from state funds unless the deduction is authorized by law. (b) In this section "state agency" means: (1) a board, commission, department, office, or other agency that is in the executive branch of state government and that was created by the constitution or a statute of this state, including an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, other than a public junior college; (2) the legislature or a legislative agency; or (3) the supreme court, the court of criminal appeals, a court of appeals, the state bar, or another state judicial agency. (c) To the extent that the laws, regulations, and rules of this state or the United States do not specify the priority of deductions, the comptroller by rule may determine the priority for compensation paid by a state governmental body. (d) The state shall withhold money from salaries and wages paid to state officers and employees in accordance with applicable federal law, including federal law relating to withholding for purposes of the federal income tax. The state shall make any required employer contributions in accordance with applicable federal law. The comptroller shall make payments in accordance with this subsection. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 5.14(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 118, Sec. 2.12, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.