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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Across Texas, the number of registered motorcycles |
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is growing at a rapid rate, and numerous motorcyclists have |
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expressed concerns regarding motorcycle profiling by law |
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enforcement officers; and |
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WHEREAS, Motorcycle profiling is the illegal use of a |
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person's motorcycle related apparel or status as a motorcycle |
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operator as a factor in deciding to stop and question, take |
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enforcement action, arrest, or search a person or vehicle; and |
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WHEREAS, Some Texans in motorcycle clubs have been unjustly |
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stopped and arrested due to being inaccurately identified as gang |
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members in the TXGANG database, and this has recently prompted |
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several courts to raise questions about how police use the law |
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enforcement tool; and |
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WHEREAS, According to a 2017 U.S. Senate resolution, reported |
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incidents of motorcycle profiling in the State of Washington |
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dropped approximately 90 percent within six years of the state |
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passing a law to ensure that issues related to motorcycle profiling |
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are included in law enforcement training; and |
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WHEREAS, Unlawful motorcycle profiling is a serious issue in |
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Texas and beyond, and every means of preventing it should be |
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explored; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby request that the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the |
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house of representatives create a joint interim committee to study |
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motorcycle operator profiling by law enforcement officers; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That the study must consider: |
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(1) the effectiveness of current education and training |
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requirements for law enforcement officers regarding motorcycle |
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operator profiling awareness and sensitivity; |
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(2) potential improvements to education and training |
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requirements regarding motorcycle operator profiling awareness and |
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sensitivity that may be implemented by state and local law |
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enforcement agencies; and |
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(3) any other methods to decrease motorcycle operator |
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profiling by law enforcement officers; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the committee's proceedings and operations be |
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governed by such general rules and policies for interim committees |
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as the 87th Texas Legislature may adopt; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the committee shall submit a full report, |
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including findings and recommendations, to the 88th Legislature |
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before it convenes in January 2023. |