BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 752 By: Rhodes 04-18-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) has the authority and power to promulgate rules and regulations for administration, including establishing minimum standards for admission to employment as a peace officer, to approve institutions and facilities for schools for the purpose of training peace officers or recruits, and to operate schools and conduct courses, both preparatory, in-service, basic and advanced courses for peace officers and recruits. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 752 provides statutory authority to the Commission to establish minimum entry standards for enrollment in any basic course which may result in the issuance of a license by the Commission and establish minimum qualifications for a person to take Commission examinations. H.B. 752 would enable the Commission to prevent convicted felons, drug users, and persons unable to pass the standard law enforcement psychological test from either taking the certification examination or enrolling in critical law enforcement courses, such as police driving, firearms proficiency, and mechanics of arrest. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education under SECTION 1 (Subsection (e), Section 415.031, Government Code), SECTION 2 (Subsection (e), Section 415.056, Government Code), and SECTION 3 of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 415.031, Government Code, by adding subsection (e), as follows: (e) Authorizes the Commission to establish minimum qualifications for persons who are eligible to be an officer or county jailer to enroll in certain Commission training programs. SECTION 2. Amends Section 415.056, Government Code, by adding subsection (e), as follows: (e) Authorizes the Commission to establish minimum qualifications for persons who are eligible to be an officer or county jailer to enroll in and take Commission examinations. SECTION 3. Requires the Commission to develop and adopt rules necessary to enact the provisions of this bill by January 1, 1996. SECTION 4. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION H.B. 752 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on April 4, 1995. The bill was reported favorably without amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 0 absent.