SRC-JJJ H.B. 525 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 525 76R2142 JMC-DBy: McReynolds (Nixon) Criminal Justice 4/26/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, special agents and law enforcement officers of the United States Forest Service have the right to arrest and search a person if they have probable cause to believe a felony has been committed. H.B. 525 would limit these officers to the powers of arrest, search and seizure as to any crime committed in a national forest. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 525 establishes conditions granting limited state law enforcement authority to special agents and law enforcement officers of the United States Forest Service. 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 Article 2.122, Code of Criminal Procedure, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d), to establish that a Special Agent or Law Enforcement Officer of the United States Forest Service is not a peace officer, except that the agent or officer has the powers to arrest, search and seizure as to any offense committed within the National Forest System. Defines "National Forest System." Deletes text regarding Special Agent or Law Enforcement Officer of the United States Forest Service. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.