BWH H.B. 2285 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


COUNTY AFFAIRS
H.B. 2285
By: Corte
4-2-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Current law enables the commissioners court to regulate the security
policies of county courthouses.  As a result, some elected officials have
authorized themselves, and their staff, to circumvent county courthouse
security procedures, which include proceeding through metal detectors and
luggage/purse/briefcase inspection without stopping for examination.     

PURPOSE

This bill would require any employee of the county or any county officer
to participate in any county courthouse security program. 

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. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 291.003, Local Government Code by adding a new
Subsection (b) to give authority to the commissioners court of a county to
control the security policies of  a county courthouse.   In so doing, the
county sheriff may require any employee of the county or any county
officer to participate in security procedures. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.