SRC-DPW C.S.S.B. 965 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 965
By: Lucio
Criminal Justice
4/16/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, certain federal criminal investigators have powers of arrest and
powers of search and seizure as to felony offenses only under the laws of
the State of Texas.  The list of law enforcement authorities includes a
variety of United States agencies with jurisdiction in Texas.  This bill
would add commissioned law enforcement officers of the National Park
Service to the approved list of federal agents with powers of arrest and
search and seizures.    

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 965 grants certain powers to commissioned law
enforcement officers of the National Park 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 adding
Subsection (d), to provide that a commissioned law enforcement officer of
the National Park Service (park officer) is not a peace officer under the
laws of this state, except that the park officer has the powers of arrest,
search, and seizure as to any offense committed under the laws of this
state within the boundaries of a national park or national recreation area.
Defines "national park or national recreation area." 

SECTION 2.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.



SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Relating clause.

Grants limited state law enforcement authority to commissioned law
enforcement officers of the National Park Service. 

SECTION 1. 

Amends Article 2.122, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding Subsection (d),
to provide that a park officer is not a peace officer under the laws of
this state, except that the park officer has the powers of arrest, search,
and seizure as to any offense under the laws of this state committed within
the boundaries of national park or national recreation area.