BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2154

By: Morales, Eddie

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

State law currently requires certain law enforcement agencies to adopt physical fitness programs and standards for law enforcement officers the agency employs. Agencies that adopt these standards must also adopt a reward policy that grants administrative leave for officers who participate in the program. The purpose of this program is to benefit the physical and emotional well-being of the commissioned officers while providing reasonable assurance that officers and employees can perform law enforcement job functions. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is currently not included among the agencies subject to the requirement to adopt a physical fitness program and officer standards. H.B. 2154 seeks to subject the OAG to that requirement.

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. 2154 amends the Government Code to include the attorney general's office among the state agencies that must adopt physical fitness programs and standards for law enforcement officers employed by the agency, as well as adopt related reward policies that offer administrative leave for officers who participate in the program and meet the adopted standards.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.