(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the comptroller may not pay the salary of a state officer or employee before the first working day of the month following the payroll period.
(b) The comptroller shall pay an employee who is paid twice a month under § 659.082 on:
(1) the first working day of the month following the payroll period that covers the last half of the preceding month; and
(2) the 15th day of the month or the first working day after the 15th for the payroll period that covers the first half of the month.

(c) In this section, “working day” means a day other than Saturday, Sunday, or a national holiday as listed in the General Appropriations Act or Chapter 662. A day does not cease to be a national holiday because a state agency maintains or is required to maintain a minimum working staff on the holiday.