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MILITARY LEAVES

Houston Code of Ordinances ch. 14, art. IV
in effect

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-251 Definitions.

Sec. 14-251. - Definitions. As used in this article the following words and terms shall have the meanings ascribed in this section, unless the context of their usage clearly indicates another meaning: Armed Forces means the State Military Forces of Texas and the Reserve Components of the United States Armed Forces and National Guard. Called to duty means ordered on proper authority to assume active duty status as a full-time member of the military forces during a time of war or a state of emergency for service relating to the war or emergency. City salary means the employee's regular rate of base from the city inclusive of longevity, incentives, differentials or other compensation ordinarily received by the employee for service to the city. The regular rate of pay shall not include clothing or equipment allowances. Director means the human resources director of the city. Employee means a member of armed forces who is a full-time employee of the city. Military salary means base pay plus any incentive pay, duty pay or other compensation payable to the employee by the military for full-time service while called up, exclusive of allowances for travel, uniforms and other personal expenses of the employee. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-252 Rights cumulative.

Sec. 14-252. - Rights cumulative. The provisions of this article shall not be construed to abridge any right of compensation or benefits arising under state or federal law or regulations, including those benefits arising under section 431.005 of the Texas Government Code. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-253 Military leave.

Sec. 14-253. - Military leave. (a) An employee who is called to duty shall be entitled to be placed on military leave upon written application to the director. Each application shall be accompanied by duly authenticated copies of state or federal military orders, and any other documentation reasonably required by the director to establish the employee's right to leave status under this article. Upon receipt of an application and related documents establishing the right to leave status under this article, the director shall place the employee on military leave status. (b) An employee on active military duty can be authorized to use up to eighty (80) hours of accrued leave per pay period. (c) Accrued hours include, but are not limited to, floating holiday or deferred holiday, personal leave hours, compensatory time, vacation hours, or Paid Time Off (PTO) under the Houston Police Department Paid Time Off Program. Sick leave hours and no-value PTO hours may not be used. Value of leave used will be computed using bi-weekly base pay plus longevity rates of pay, and shall include any other pay to which the employee would be entitled to if the employee was using time for a reason other than military leave including, but not limited to, all allowances, assignment pays and certification pays to which the employee was entitled prior to being placed in a military leave status. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-254 Compensation.

Sec. 14-254. - Compensation. (a) A full-time employee who is granted military leave under this article and whose military salary is less than his city salary shall be entitled to compensation for the difference. Such compensation shall not apply to any period prior to the reporting of the employee for the military call up or following the employee's discharge from the call up. In those instances in which an employee is eligible for compensation at full pay under section 431.005 of the Texas Government Code, the compensation hereunder shall not be payable for any period during which the employee is entitled to compensation thereunder. (b) The compensation payable under this section shall be paid from time to time in accordance with administrative regulations established by the director with the consent of the city controller. Without limitation, such regulations may require that the employee regularly submit proof that he remains on active duty status with the military and the amount of the military salary that is payable. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-255 Status for other purposes.

Sec. 14-255. - Status for other purposes. The military leave provided under this Article shall not be construed to make any employee of the city who is on military leave an active employee of the city during his period of service in the armed forces while called up. For all other purposes the employee shall be regarded as being on leave without pay status entitled to those rights of restoration of employment and benefits that are provided by applicable state and federal law. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-256 Time limitation.

Sec. 14-256. - Time limitation. The compensation to any employee under section 14-254 of this Code shall be limited to a period of 90 calendar days from the date that the employee is called up, unless the city council determines, based upon the nature of the war or emergency, the number of city employees involved and the potential costs to the city, that the benefits should be extended. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)
Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH14CISE_ARTIVMILEFetched: 10/26/2026

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