Sec. 659.005. WITNESS FEES; JURY SERVICE

(a) A deduction may not be made from the salary or wages of a state employee because the employee is called for jury service, including a deduction for any fee or compensation the employee receives for the jury service.

(b) A state officer or employee who appears as a witness in an official capacity in a judicial proceeding or legislative hearing may not accept or receive a witness fee for the appearance.

(c) A state officer or employee who appears as a witness, in a capacity other than as a state officer or employee, in a judicial proceeding or legislative hearing to testify from personal knowledge concerning matters related to the proceeding or hearing is entitled to receive any customary witness fees for the appearance.

(d) A state officer or employee who appears as an expert witness in a judicial proceeding or legislative hearing may accept compensation for the appearance only if the person is not also compensated by the state for the person's time in making the appearance and may accept reimbursement for travel expenses only if the expenses are not reimbursed by the state. For purposes of this subsection, paid leave is not considered time compensated by the state.

(e) A state officer or employee may receive reimbursement for travel and a per diem or reimbursement for expenses connected to an appearance in an official capacity as a witness in a judicial proceeding or legislative hearing only from the state or the judicial body, but not from both the state and the judicial body.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.