SRC-JRN S.B. 1368 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1368
By: Ellis
Education
4-5-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, commissioned peace officers at private institutions of higher
education lack the authority to enforce traffic citations for violations
committed by anyone who is not a student or an institutional employee.
Some of these campuses may be faced with drivers who exceed posted speed
limits, and run stop signs, while driving through the campuses.  This bill
extends to officers at private institutions of higher education the same
traffic authority exercised by public university police officers. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1368 extends to officers at private institutions of
higher education the same traffic authority exercised by public university
police officers. 

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 Chapter 600, Transportation Code, by adding Section
600.003, as follows: 

Sec. 600.003. ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN TRAFFIC LAWS BY PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS
OF HIGHER EDUCATION.  Defines "private or independent institution of
higher education."  Authorizes a private or independent institution of
higher education to enforce a traffic law of this state under Chapter 545
restricting or prohibiting the operation or movement of vehicles on a road
of the institution if certain conditions exist,  including requirements
that certain restrictions must be posted in a certain manner and must be
approved by certain entities.  Provides that campus security personnel of
the institution commissioned under Section 51.212, Education Code, are
authorized to enforce the provisions of the section and have the authority
to issue and use traffic tickets and summons in a form prescribed by the
Texas Department of Public Safety to enforce this chapter on property of
the institution.  Provides that the same procedures that apply to a
traffic ticket or summons by a commissioned peace officer of an
institution of higher education under Section 51.206 and 51.210, Education
Code, also apply to a ticket or summons issued under this section. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.