TO:	Honorable James White, Chair, House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety
FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1550 by Cyrier (Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.), As Introduced

The bill would amend the Government and Occupations Codes as they relate to the continuation and functions of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). The bill would require the establishment of a 15-member blue ribbon panel to comprehensively evaluate and provide recommendations to the Legislature and the Sunset Advisory Commission on the regulation of law enforcement in Texas.

The bill would require TCOLE to conduct fingerprint-based criminal background checks of all licensure applicants and licensees and remove a subjective qualification for licensure from statute. The bill would authorize TCOLE to issue subpoenas for investigative records and maintain confidentiality of complainants when possible. The bill would authorize TCOLE to temporarily suspend a license if it finds an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare. The bill would require TCOLE to update the standard across-the-board requirement related to commission member training and the commission's statute to reflect the requirements of the person-first respectful language initiative. The bill would require TCOLE to adopt rules specifying the circumstances under which the agency may request that a license holder submit to an examination by a psychologist, psychiatrist, or physician selected by the commission to determine whether the license holder continues to meet the standards required by Section 1701.306. Additionally, the bill would require TCOLE to establish advisory committees in rule.

Based upon the information provided by the Sunset Advisory Commission and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, it is assumed that the costs associated with the bill's provisions could be absorbed using existing resources.

This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill would not result in a significant impact on state correctional populations or on the demand for state correctional resources.

Local Government Impact

According to the Texas Association of Counties, the fiscal impact to counties cannot be determined at this time.