SRC-AAA C.S.S.B. 187 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 187
By: Madla
Intergovernmental Relations
2-5-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, law mandates that the comptroller deposit in the law
enforcement officer standards and education account expenses related to
continuing education.  At present, there is no report due date of
necessary information coming from the local law enforcement agencies to
the comptroller.  This bill provides a due date to allow for an accurate
and timely allocation of money to participating agencies and ease in the
administration of this task.  This bill also eliminates audits that cities
and counties must send to the comptroller, which will save time and money. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 187  requires a law enforcement agency to report the
number of positions in that agency each January 1. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 415.0845, Government Code, to provide that 80
percent  of the money allocated to all local law enforcement agencies in
the state in a share representing a fixed amount for each position in the
agency that is reserved to a person who is compensated by a political
subdivision of the state, rather than the state, and is entitled to all
employee benefits offered to a peace officer by the political subdivision,
rather than the state or political subdivision. Requires local law
enforcement agencies,  no later than November 1 of each year, to report to
the comptroller the number of positions in that agency as of January 1 of
that year. Deletes the requirement that a county or municipality conduct
an audit of the law enforcement agency and send the results to the
comptroller no later than 90 days after the audit is complete. Makes
conforming changes.  

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act retroactive to the end of
calendar year 1996. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Amends SECTION 1, Section 415.0845, Government Code, to relieve the state
of liability for compensating officers regarding money allocated for
continuing education. 

Adds SECTION 2, to make application of this Act retroactive to the end of
calendar year 1996.