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.