BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 64

By: Landgraf

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Ector County Hospital District's police officers are currently not authorized to conduct police escorts. This means the officers are not allowed to escort people to or from the local hospitals and the surrounding areas for reasons including funerals and oversized or hazardous material transportation. The Ector County Police Department, which is currently short-staffed, is unable to assist with all of the hospital district's escort needs. H.B. 64 seeks to address this issue by authorizing Ector County Hospital District police officers to conduct certain police escorts.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 64 amends the Transportation Code to include officers commissioned by the board of directors of the Ector County Hospital District among the peace officers authorized to operate an authorized emergency vehicle to conduct a police escort facilitating the movement of a funeral, oversized or hazardous load, or other traffic disruption for public safety purposes.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.