1-1     By:  Brown                                             S.B. No. 370
 1-2           (In the Senate - Filed March 4, 1999; March 8, 1999, read
 1-3     first time and referred to Committee on Criminal Justice;
 1-4     April 8, 1999, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
 1-5     Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 0; April 8, 1999,
 1-6     sent to printer.)
 1-7     COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 370                   By:  Nelson
 1-8                            A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-9                                   AN ACT
1-10     relating to the continuation and functions of the Department of
1-11     Public Safety of the State of Texas.
1-12           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-13           SECTION 1.  Subsections (b) and (c), Section 411.002,
1-14     Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
1-15           (b)  The department shall have its principal office and
1-16     headquarters [and shall keep all of its records] in Austin.
1-17           (c)  The Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas is
1-18     subject to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act).  Unless continued in
1-19     existence as provided by that chapter, the department is abolished
1-20     and Subsections (a) and (b) expire September 1, 2009 [1999].
1-21           SECTION 2.  Subsection (c), Section 411.0036, Government
1-22     Code, is amended to read as follows:
1-23           (c)  If the director has knowledge that a potential ground
1-24     for removal exists, the director shall notify the chairman of the
1-25     commission of the potential ground.  The chairman shall then notify
1-26     the governor and the attorney general that a potential ground for
1-27     removal exists.  If the potential ground for removal involves the
1-28     chairman, the director shall notify the member with the most tenure
1-29     on the commission, who shall then notify the governor and the
1-30     attorney general that a potential ground for removal exists.
1-31           SECTION 3.  Subchapter A, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
1-32     amended by amending Section 411.004 and adding Sections 411.0031
1-33     and 411.0041 to read as follows:
1-34           Sec. 411.0031.  TRAINING FOR COMMISSION MEMBERS.  (a)  A
1-35     person who is appointed to and qualifies for office as a member of
1-36     the commission may not vote, deliberate, or be counted as a member
1-37     in attendance at a meeting of the commission until the person
1-38     completes a training program that complies with this section.
1-39           (b)  The training program must provide the person with
1-40     information regarding:
1-41                 (1)  the legislation that created the department and
1-42     the commission;
1-43                 (2)  the programs operated by the department;
1-44                 (3)  the role and functions of the department;
1-45                 (4)  the rules of the department, with an emphasis on
1-46     the rules that relate to disciplinary and investigatory authority;
1-47                 (5)  the current budget for the department;
1-48                 (6)  the results of the most recent formal audit of the
1-49     department;
1-50                 (7)  the requirements of:
1-51                       (A)  the open meetings law, Chapter 551;
1-52                       (B)  the public information law, Chapter 552;
1-53                       (C)  the administrative procedure law, Chapter
1-54     2001; and
1-55                       (D)  other laws relating to public officials,
1-56     including conflict of interest laws; and
1-57                 (8)  any applicable ethics policies adopted by the
1-58     department or the Texas Ethics Commission.
1-59           (c)  A person appointed to the commission is entitled to
1-60     reimbursement, as provided by the General Appropriations Act, for
1-61     the travel expenses incurred in attending the training program
1-62     regardless of whether the attendance at the program occurs before
1-63     or after the person qualifies for office.
1-64           Sec. 411.004.  DUTIES AND POWERS OF COMMISSION.  The
 2-1     commission shall:
 2-2                 (1)  formulate plans and policies for:
 2-3                       (A)  enforcement of state criminal, traffic, and
 2-4     safety laws;
 2-5                       (B)  prevention of crime;
 2-6                       (C)  detection and apprehension of persons who
 2-7     violate laws; and
 2-8                       (D)  education of citizens of this state in the
 2-9     promotion of public safety and the observance of law;
2-10                 (2)  organize the department and supervise its
2-11     operation;
2-12                 (3)  adopt rules considered necessary for carrying out
2-13     the department's work;
2-14                 (4)  maintain records of all proceedings and official
2-15     orders; and
2-16                 (5)  biennially submit a report of its work to the
2-17     governor and legislature, including the commission's and director's
2-18     recommendations[; and]
2-19                 [(6)  provide to its members, as often as necessary,
2-20     information regarding their qualifications for office under this
2-21     chapter and their responsibilities under applicable laws relating
2-22     to standards of conduct for state officers].
2-23           Sec. 411.0041.  OPEN MEETINGS EXCEPTION:  CRIMINAL
2-24     INVESTIGATIONS.  A discussion or deliberation of the commission
2-25     regarding an ongoing criminal investigation, including a vote to
2-26     issue a directive or take other action regarding the investigation,
2-27     is not subject to the open meetings law, Chapter 551.
2-28           SECTION 4.  Subsections (b) and (c), Section 411.005,
2-29     Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
2-30           (b)  The director may [commission shall] appoint, with the
2-31     advice and consent of the commission, [an] assistant directors
2-32     [director] who shall perform the duties that the director
2-33     designates.  An assistant director serves until removed by the
2-34     director.
2-35           (c)  The commission shall select the director, and the
2-36     director shall select an assistant director, on the basis of the
2-37     person's [persons'] training, experience, and qualifications for
2-38     the position [positions].  The director and an assistant director
2-39     must have five years' experience, preferably in police or public
2-40     administration.  The director and an assistant director are
2-41     entitled to annual salaries as provided by the legislature.
2-42           SECTION 5.  Subchapter A, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
2-43     amended by amending Section 411.006 and adding Section 411.0061 to
2-44     read as follows:
2-45           Sec. 411.006.  DUTIES OF DIRECTOR.  (a)  The director shall:
2-46                 (1)  be directly responsible to the commission for the
2-47     conduct of the department's affairs;
2-48                 (2)  act as executive director of the department;
2-49                 (3)  act with the commission in an advisory capacity,
2-50     without vote;
2-51                 (4)  adopt rules, subject to commission approval,
2-52     considered necessary for the control of the department;
2-53                 (5)  issue commissions as law enforcement officers,
2-54     under the commission's direction, to all members of the Texas
2-55     Rangers and the Texas Highway Patrol and to other officers of the
2-56     department;
2-57                 (6)  appoint, with the advice and consent of the
2-58     commission, the head [chiefs] of a division or bureau [the bureaus]
2-59     provided for by this chapter;
2-60                 (7)  [issue and sign requisitions as provided by law
2-61     for the purchase of supplies for the office and officers of the
2-62     department, suitable uniforms, arms, and equipment;]
2-63                 [(8)]  quarterly, annually, and biennially submit to
2-64     the commission detailed reports of the operation of the department,
2-65     including statements of its expenditures; and
2-66                 (8) [(9)]  prepare, swear to, submit to the governor,
2-67     and file in the department's records a quarterly statement
2-68     containing an itemized list of all money received and its source
2-69     and all money spent and the purposes for which it was spent.
 3-1           (b)  The director or the director's designee shall provide to
 3-2     members of the commission and to department employees, as often as
 3-3     necessary, information regarding the requirements for office or
 3-4     employment under this chapter, including information regarding a
 3-5     person's responsibilities under applicable laws relating to
 3-6     standards of conduct for state officers or employees.
 3-7           Sec. 411.0061.  COMMERCIAL CARRIER INSPECTIONS:
 3-8     IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE FOR NONCOMMISSIONED PERSONNEL.  (a)  The
 3-9     director shall develop a schedule to include the use of
3-10     noncommissioned staff assigned to enforce commercial motor vehicle
3-11     rules under Sections 644.103 and 644.104, Transportation Code, to
3-12     supplement the current enforcement program by commissioned
3-13     officers.  The schedule shall be implemented over a five-year
3-14     period beginning January 1, 2000.
3-15           (b)  A report that provides details of the schedule and the
3-16     status of its implementation shall be filed with the Legislative
3-17     Budget Board with each legislative appropriations request of the
3-18     department.
3-19           (c)  The department shall not reduce the number of
3-20     commissioned officers to comply with this section.
3-21           (d)  This section expires January 1, 2005.
3-22           SECTION 6.  Section 411.007, Government Code, is amended to
3-23     read as follows:
3-24           Sec. 411.007.  OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.  (a)  Subject to [the
3-25     commission's approval and] the provisions of this chapter, the
3-26     director may appoint, promote, reduce, suspend, or discharge any
3-27     officer or employee of the department.
3-28           (b)  Appointment or promotion of an officer or employee must
3-29     be based on merit determined [by examination] under commission
3-30     rules that take into consideration the applicant's age and[,]
3-31     physical condition, if appropriate and to the extent allowed under
3-32     federal law, and that take into consideration the applicant's
3-33     experience[,] and education.  For promotions of commissioned
3-34     officers, other than those positions covered under Section
3-35     411.0071, the department, with the advice and consent of the
3-36     commission, shall establish processes to be consistently applied
3-37     and based on merit.  Each person who has an application on file for
3-38     a position in the department for which an applicant must take an
3-39     examination shall be given reasonable written notice of the time
3-40     and place of those examinations.
3-41           (c)  An applicant for a position in the department must be a
3-42     United States citizen.  An applicant may not be questioned
3-43     regarding the applicant's political affiliation or religious faith
3-44     or beliefs.  The department may not prohibit an officer or employee
3-45     of the department, while off duty and out of uniform, from placing
3-46     a bumper sticker endorsing political activities or a candidate for
3-47     political office on a personal vehicle, placing a campaign sign in
3-48     the person's private yard, making a political contribution, or
3-49     wearing a badge endorsing political activities or a candidate.  An
3-50     officer commissioned by the department may not be suspended,
3-51     terminated, or subjected to any form of discrimination by the
3-52     department because of the refusal of the officer to take a
3-53     polygraph examination.
3-54           (d)  At least annually the heads [chiefs] of the divisions
3-55     and bureaus, after due investigation, shall make a report to the
3-56     director [commission] of the efficiency of each employee within the
3-57     division or bureau.  These reports shall be kept in the
3-58     department's [commission's] permanent files and shall be given
3-59     proper consideration in all matters of promotion and discharge.
3-60           (e)  An officer or employee of the department may not be
3-61     discharged without just cause.  The director shall determine
3-62     whether an officer or employee is to be discharged.  An officer or
3-63     employee ordered discharged may appeal to the commission, and
3-64     during the appeal the officer or employee shall be suspended
3-65     without pay.  Except as provided by Subsection (f), the [The]
3-66     department may not discharge, suspend, or demote a commissioned
3-67     officer except for the violation of a specific commission rule.  If
3-68     the department discharges, suspends, or demotes an officer, the
3-69     department shall deliver to the officer a written statement giving
 4-1     the reasons for the action taken.  The written statement must point
 4-2     out each commission rule alleged to have been violated by the
 4-3     officer and must describe the alleged acts of the officer that the
 4-4     department contends are in violation of the commission rules.  [An
 4-5     officer commissioned by the department may not be suspended,
 4-6     terminated, or subjected to any form of discrimination by the
 4-7     department because of the refusal of the officer to take a
 4-8     polygraph examination.]
 4-9           (f)  [The commission shall establish grades and positions for
4-10     the department.  For each grade and position the commission shall
4-11     designate the authority and responsibility within the limits of
4-12     this chapter, set standards of qualifications, and fix
4-13     prerequisites of training, education, and experience.]  The
4-14     commission shall establish [adopt] necessary policies and
4-15     procedures [rules] for the appointment, promotion, reduction,
4-16     suspension, and discharge of all employees [after hearing before
4-17     the commission].  A discharged officer or employee is entitled, on
4-18     application to the commission, to a public hearing before the
4-19     commission, who shall affirm or set aside the discharge.  A person
4-20     inducted into the service of the department is on probation for the
4-21     first one year of service and at any time during that period may be
4-22     discharged without the public hearing provided for by this
4-23     subsection if the director, with the advice and consent of the
4-24     commission, finds the person to be unsuitable for the work.
4-25           SECTION 7.  Subchapter A, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
4-26     amended by adding Sections 411.0071 through 411.0074, 411.0098,
4-27     411.0099, and 411.0131 to read as follows:
4-28           Sec. 411.0071.  DIRECT APPOINTMENT TO KEY POSITIONS BY
4-29     DIRECTOR.  (a)  The director may designate a head of a division or
4-30     a position that involves working directly with the director, other
4-31     than the highest ranking officer of the Texas Rangers, as a key
4-32     position.
4-33           (b)  The director may directly appoint a person to a position
4-34     designated as a key position under Subsection (a) under criteria
4-35     determined by the director and approved by the commission.  The
4-36     director's appointment of a person to a key position or transfer of
4-37     a person from a key position to another position for which the
4-38     person is qualified, as determined by the director, is not subject
4-39     to Section 411.007.
4-40           (c)  A person appointed to a key position under this section,
4-41     on removal from that position, shall be returned to the position
4-42     the person held immediately before appointment to the key position
4-43     or to a position of equivalent rank.  If a person is removed from a
4-44     key position as a result of the filing of a formal charge of
4-45     misconduct, this subsection applies only if the person is
4-46     exonerated for the misconduct charged.
4-47           Sec. 411.0072.  HEARING BEFORE COMMISSION SUBCOMMITTEE.
4-48     (a)  The commission may authorize a subcommittee composed of
4-49     commission members to conduct a public hearing to which an officer
4-50     or employee is entitled under Section 411.007.
4-51           (b)  A subcommittee of the commission that conducts a hearing
4-52     under this section shall recommend to the commission an outcome in
4-53     the dispute involved.  The recommendation of the subcommittee must
4-54     be approved by a majority of the commission to become effective.
4-55           Sec. 411.0073.  EMPLOYMENT-RELATED GRIEVANCES AND APPEALS OF
4-56     DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.  (a)  In this section:
4-57                 (1)  "Disciplinary action" means discharge, suspension,
4-58     or demotion.
4-59                 (2)  "Employment-related grievance" means an
4-60     employment-related issue, other than a disciplinary action, in
4-61     regard to which an employee wishes to express dissatisfaction,
4-62     including promotions, leave requests, performance evaluations,
4-63     transfers, benefits, working environment, shift or duty
4-64     assignments, harassment, retaliation, and relationships with
4-65     supervisors or other employees or any other issue the commission
4-66     determines by rule.
4-67           (b)  The commission shall establish procedures and practices
4-68     governing the appeal of a disciplinary action within the
4-69     department.
 5-1           (c)  The commission shall establish procedures and practices
 5-2     through which the department will address  an employment-related
 5-3     grievance that include:
 5-4                 (1)  a form on which an employee may state an
 5-5     employment-related grievance and request a specific corrective
 5-6     action;
 5-7                 (2)  time limits for submitting a grievance and for
 5-8     management to respond to a grievance;
 5-9                 (3)  a multilevel process in which an employee's
5-10     grievance is submitted to the lowest appropriate level of
5-11     management, with each subsequent appeal submitted to a higher level
5-12     in the chain of command;
5-13                 (4)  an assurance that confidentiality of all parties
5-14     involved will be maintained, except to the extent that information
5-15     that is subject to required public disclosure under the public
5-16     information law, Chapter 552, is released in response to an open
5-17     records request, and that retaliation against an employee who files
5-18     a grievance is prohibited; and
5-19                 (5)  a program to advertise and explain the grievance
5-20     procedure to all employees.
5-21           (d)  The department shall submit annually to the commission,
5-22     and as part of its biennial report to the legislature required
5-23     under Section 411.004, a report on the department's use of the
5-24     employment-related grievance process under Subsection (c).  The
5-25     report must include:
5-26                 (1)  the number of grievances filed;
5-27                 (2)  a brief description of the subject of each
5-28     grievance filed; and
5-29                 (3)  the final disposition of each grievance.
5-30           Sec. 411.0074.  MEDIATION OF PERSONNEL DISPUTES.  (a)  The
5-31     commission shall establish procedures for an employee to resolve an
5-32     employment-related grievance covered by Section 411.0073 through
5-33     mediation if the employee chooses.  The procedures must include
5-34     mediation procedures and establish the circumstances under which
5-35     mediation is appropriate for an employment-related grievance.
5-36           (b)  Except for Section 2008.054, Chapter 2008, as added by
5-37     Chapter 934, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997,
5-38     does not apply to the mediation.  The mediator must be trained in
5-39     mediation techniques.
5-40           (c)  An employee who chooses to use mediation to resolve an
5-41     employment-related grievance waives the right to use the grievance
5-42     process established under Section 411.0073.
5-43           Sec. 411.0098.  COORDINATION WITH DEPARTMENT OF
5-44     TRANSPORTATION.  (a)  The department and the Texas Department of
5-45     Transportation shall establish procedures to ensure effective
5-46     coordination of the development of transportation infrastructure
5-47     projects that affect both agencies.
5-48           (b)  Procedures established under this section shall:
5-49                 (1)  allow each agency to provide comments and advice
5-50     to the other agency on an ongoing basis regarding statewide
5-51     transportation planning efforts that affect traffic law
5-52     enforcement;
5-53                 (2)  define the role of each agency in transportation
5-54     infrastructure efforts; and
5-55                 (3)  require the department and the Texas Department of
5-56     Transportation to develop a plan for applying for and using federal
5-57     funds to address infrastructure needs that affect enforcement
5-58     efforts.
5-59           (c)  The department and the Texas Department of
5-60     Transportation shall:
5-61                 (1)  update and revise the procedures established under
5-62     this section as necessary; and
5-63                 (2)  file not later than January 15 of each
5-64     odd-numbered year with the presiding officer of each house of the
5-65     legislature a report that describes the procedures established
5-66     under this section and their implementation.
5-67           Sec. 411.0099.  NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR ENFORCEMENT OF
5-68     COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE RULES.  (a)  The department shall conduct
5-69     a long-term needs assessment for the enforcement of commercial
 6-1     motor vehicle rules that considers at a minimum:
 6-2                 (1)  the inventory of current facilities and equipment
 6-3     used for enforcement, including types of scales, structures, space,
 6-4     and other equipment;
 6-5                 (2)  enforcement activity, including trend information,
 6-6     at fixed-site facilities;
 6-7                 (3)  staffing levels and operating hours for each
 6-8     facility; and
 6-9                 (4)  needed infrastructure improvements and the
6-10     associated costs and projected increase in activity that would
6-11     result from the improvements.
6-12           (b)  The department shall submit a biennial report to the
6-13     legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over state
6-14     budgetary matters and the Texas Transportation Commission that
6-15     reflects the results of the needs assessment conducted under
6-16     Subsection (a).  The report shall be submitted to the legislature
6-17     in conjunction with the department's legislative appropriations
6-18     request.
6-19           Sec. 411.0131.  USE OF SEIZED AND FORFEITED ASSETS.  (a)  The
6-20     commission by rule shall establish a process under which the
6-21     commission approves all of the department's dispositions of assets
6-22     seized or forfeited under state or federal law and received by or
6-23     appropriated to the department.  The commission shall adopt rules
6-24     under this section in accordance with Chapter 2001.  Before
6-25     approving a disposition, the commission shall consider how the
6-26     disposition supports priorities established in the department's
6-27     strategic plan and whether the disposition complies with applicable
6-28     federal guidelines.
6-29           (b)  The department shall file annually with the governor and
6-30     the presiding officer of each house of the legislature a report on
6-31     seized and forfeited assets.  The report must include:
6-32                 (1)  a summary of receipts, dispositions, and fund
6-33     balances for the fiscal year derived from both federal and state
6-34     sources;
6-35                 (2)  regarding receipts, the court in which each case
6-36     involving seized or forfeited assets was adjudicated, the nature
6-37     and value of the assets, and the specific intended use of the
6-38     assets;
6-39                 (3)  regarding dispositions, the departmental control
6-40     number and category, the division making the request, the specific
6-41     item and amount requested, the amount the commission approved, and
6-42     the actual amount expended per item; and
6-43                 (4)  regarding planned dispositions, a description of
6-44     the broad categories of anticipated dispositions and how they
6-45     relate to the department's strategic plan.
6-46           (c)  The department shall, within 30 days after the end of
6-47     each quarter, report and justify any dispositions of seized or
6-48     forfeited assets during the quarter that:
6-49                 (1)  differ from the planned dispositions reported
6-50     under Subsection (b); and
6-51                 (2)  were used for a purpose not considered a priority
6-52     in the department's strategic plan or not required by law or
6-53     applicable federal guidelines.
6-54           SECTION 8.  Section 411.0195, Government Code, is amended by
6-55     amending Subsections (c) and (d) and adding Subsection (e) to read
6-56     as follows:
6-57           (c)  The department shall maintain a file on each written
6-58     complaint filed with the department.  The file must include:
6-59                 (1)  the name of the person who filed the complaint;
6-60                 (2)  the date the complaint is received by the
6-61     department;
6-62                 (3)  the subject matter of the complaint;
6-63                 (4)  the name of each person contacted in relation to
6-64     the complaint;
6-65                 (5)  a summary of the results of the review or
6-66     investigation of the complaint; and
6-67                 (6)  an explanation of the reason the file was closed,
6-68     if the agency closed the file without taking action other than to
6-69     investigate the complaint [keep an information file about each
 7-1     complaint filed with the department that the department has
 7-2     authority to resolve].
 7-3           (d)  The department shall provide to the person filing the
 7-4     complaint and to each person who is a subject of the complaint a
 7-5     copy of the department's policies and procedures relating to
 7-6     complaint investigation and resolution.
 7-7           (e)  The [If a written complaint is filed with the department
 7-8     that the department has authority to resolve, the] department, at
 7-9     least quarterly until final disposition of the complaint, shall
7-10     notify the person filing the complaint and each person who is a
7-11     subject of [parties to] the complaint of the status of the
7-12     investigation [complaint] unless the notice would jeopardize an
7-13     undercover investigation.
7-14           SECTION 9.  Section 411.023, Government Code, is amended by
7-15     adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
7-16           (f)  The commission shall authorize a badge designated as
7-17     "Special Ranger" that is distinct in appearance from the "Special
7-18     Texas Ranger" badge authorized under Section 411.024.
7-19           SECTION 10.  Subchapter B, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
7-20     amended by adding Section 411.024 to read as follows:
7-21           Sec. 411.024.  SPECIAL TEXAS RANGERS.  (a)  The commission
7-22     may appoint as a special Texas Ranger an honorably retired or
7-23     retiring commissioned officer of the department whose position
7-24     immediately preceding retirement is an officer of the Texas
7-25     Rangers.
7-26           (b)  A special Texas Ranger is subject to the orders of the
7-27     commission and the governor for special duty to the same extent as
7-28     other law enforcement officers provided for by this chapter, except
7-29     that a special Texas Ranger may not enforce a law except one
7-30     designed to protect life and property and may not enforce a law
7-31     regulating the use of a state highway by a motor vehicle.  A
7-32     special Texas Ranger is not connected with a ranger company or
7-33     uniformed unit of the department.
7-34           (c)  Before issuance of a commission to a special Texas
7-35     Ranger the person shall enter into a good and sufficient bond
7-36     executed by a surety company authorized to do business in the state
7-37     in the amount of $2,500, approved by the director, and indemnifying
7-38     all persons against damages resulting from an unlawful act of the
7-39     special Texas Ranger.
7-40           (d)  A special Texas Ranger is not entitled to compensation
7-41     from the state for service as a special Texas Ranger.
7-42           (e)  A special Texas Ranger commission expires January 1 of
7-43     the first odd-numbered year after appointment.  The commission may
7-44     revoke the commission of a special Texas Ranger who commits a
7-45     violation of a rule of the department for which an active officer
7-46     of the Texas Rangers would be discharged.
7-47           (f)  The commission shall authorize a badge designated as
7-48     "Special Texas Ranger" that is distinct in appearance from the
7-49     "Special Ranger" badge authorized under Section 411.023.
7-50           SECTION 11.  Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by
7-51     adding Subchapter I to read as follows:
7-52                      SUBCHAPTER I.  INTERNAL OVERSIGHT
7-53           Sec. 411.241.  OFFICE OF AUDIT AND REVIEW.  The commission
7-54     shall establish the office of audit and review.  The office shall
7-55     coordinate activities designed to promote effectiveness in
7-56     departmental operations and to keep the commission and the
7-57     legislature fully informed about deficiencies within the
7-58     department.  The office shall:
7-59                 (1)  inspect and audit departmental programs and
7-60     operations for efficiency, uniformity, and compliance with
7-61     established procedures and develop recommendations for improvement;
7-62                 (2)  coordinate and be responsible for promoting
7-63     accountability, integrity, and efficiency in the department; and
7-64                 (3)  provide the commission with information relevant
7-65     to its oversight of the department.
7-66           Sec. 411.242.  DIRECTOR OF AUDIT AND REVIEW.  (a)  The
7-67     commission shall appoint the director of the office of audit and
7-68     review.  The director of audit and review serves until removed by
7-69     the commission.
 8-1           (b)  The director of audit and review must satisfy the
 8-2     requirements to be the agency's internal auditor under Section
 8-3     2102.006(b) and is considered to be the agency's internal auditor
 8-4     for purposes of Chapter 2102.
 8-5           (c)  The department shall provide the director of audit and
 8-6     review with access to any records, data, or other information
 8-7     necessary to fulfill the purposes of this section and Section
 8-8     411.243.
 8-9           (d)  The director of audit and review shall, with the advice
8-10     and consent of the commission, determine which audits and
8-11     inspections to perform and may publish the findings and
8-12     recommendations of the office of audit and review.
8-13           (e)  The director of audit and review shall:
8-14                 (1)  report to the commission regarding audits and
8-15     inspections planned and the status and findings of those audits and
8-16     inspections; and
8-17                 (2)  report to the director for administrative purposes
8-18     and keep the director informed of the office's findings.
8-19           Sec. 411.243.  POWERS AND DUTIES.  (a)  The office of audit
8-20     and review shall:
8-21                 (1)  independently and objectively inspect all
8-22     divisions of the department to:
8-23                       (A)  ensure that operations are conducted
8-24     efficiently, uniformly, and in compliance with established
8-25     procedures; and
8-26                       (B)  make recommendations for improvements in
8-27     operational performance;
8-28                 (2)  independently and objectively audit all divisions
8-29     of the department to:
8-30                       (A)  promote economy, effectiveness, and
8-31     efficiency within the department;
8-32                       (B)  prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse
8-33     in department programs and operations; and
8-34                       (C)  make recommendations about the adequacy and
8-35     effectiveness of the department's system of internal control
8-36     policies and procedures;
8-37                 (3)  advise in the development and evaluation of the
8-38     department's performance measures;
8-39                 (4)  review actions taken by the department to improve
8-40     program performance and make recommendations for improvement;
8-41                 (5)  review and make recommendations to the commission
8-42     and the legislature regarding rules, laws, and guidelines relating
8-43     to department programs and operations;
8-44                 (6)  keep the commission, director, and legislature
8-45     fully informed of problems in department programs and operations;
8-46     and
8-47                 (7)  ensure effective coordination and cooperation
8-48     among the state auditor's office, legislative oversight committees,
8-49     and other governmental bodies while attempting to avoid
8-50     duplication.
8-51           (b)  Chapter 2102 applies to the office of audit and review.
8-52           Sec. 411.244.  INTERNAL AFFAIRS.  (a)  The commission shall
8-53     establish the office of internal affairs.
8-54           (b)  The office of internal affairs may have original
8-55     jurisdiction over all criminal investigations occurring on
8-56     department property or involving department employees.  The office
8-57     shall coordinate, but need not conduct, all investigations under
8-58     this section.
8-59           (c)  The commission shall appoint the head of the office of
8-60     internal affairs.  The head of the office of internal affairs
8-61     serves until removed by the commission.
8-62           (d)  The head of the office of internal affairs shall report
8-63     directly to the commission regarding performance of and activities
8-64     related to investigations, report to the director for
8-65     administrative purposes, and provide the director with information
8-66     regarding investigations as appropriate.
8-67           SECTION 12.  Subsections (a) and (b), Article 60.061, Code of
8-68     Criminal Procedure, are amended to read as follows:
8-69           (a)  The Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, the Texas
 9-1     State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners, the State Board of
 9-2     Dental Examiners, the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, and the State
 9-3     Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners shall provide to the
 9-4     Department of Public Safety through electronic means, magnetic
 9-5     tape, or disk, as specified by the department, a list including the
 9-6     name, date of birth, and any other personal descriptive information
 9-7     required by the department for each person licensed by the
 9-8     respective agency.  Each agency shall update this information and
 9-9     submit to the Department of Public Safety the updated information
9-10     quarterly [monthly].
9-11           (b)  The Department of Public Safety shall perform at least
9-12     quarterly [monthly] a computer match of the licensing list against
9-13     the convictions maintained in the computerized criminal history
9-14     system.  The Department of Public Safety shall report to the
9-15     appropriate licensing agency for verification and administrative
9-16     action, as considered appropriate by the licensing agency, the name
9-17     of any person found to have a record of conviction, except a
9-18     defendant whose prosecution is deferred during a period of
9-19     community supervision without an adjudication or plea of guilt.
9-20     The Department of Public Safety may charge the licensing agency a
9-21     fee not to exceed the actual direct cost incurred by the department
9-22     in performing a computer match and reporting to the agency.
9-23           SECTION 13.  Subchapter E, Chapter 521, Transportation Code,
9-24     is amended by adding Section 521.103 to read as follows:
9-25           Sec. 521.103.  RENEWAL BY MAIL OR ELECTRONIC MEANS.  The
9-26     department by rule may provide that the holder of a personal
9-27     identification certificate may renew the certificate by mail, by
9-28     telephone, over the Internet, or by other electronic means.  A rule
9-29     adopted under this section may prescribe eligibility standards for
9-30     renewal under this section.
9-31           SECTION 14.  (a)  Section 521.125, Transportation Code, is
9-32     amended to read as follows:
9-33           Sec. 521.125.  MEDICAL AND EMERGENCY INFORMATION ON LICENSE.
9-34     On the reverse side of a driver's license, the department shall:
9-35                 (1)  print:
9-36                       (A) [(1)]  "Allergic Reaction to Drugs:  _____";
9-37     [and]
9-38                       (B) [(2)]  "Directive to physician has been filed
9-39     at tel. #"; and
9-40                       (C)  "Emergency contact tel. #";
9-41                 (2)  include to the right of the statements under
9-42     Subdivisions (1)(B) and (C) a surface on which [followed by a line
9-43     that] the license holder may write [use to indicate] the
9-44     appropriate telephone number; and
9-45                 (3)  include to the left of each of the statements
9-46     under Subdivisions (1)(B) and (C) a box that the license holder may
9-47     use to indicate for what purpose the telephone number applies.
9-48           (b)  Notwithstanding Section 521.125, Transportation Code, as
9-49     amended by this section, the Department of Public Safety of the
9-50     State of Texas may use any materials used for driver's licenses
9-51     that the department has on the effective date of this Act
9-52     regardless of whether the materials comply with that section.
9-53           SECTION 15.  Subsection (a), Section 521.141, Transportation
9-54     Code, is amended to read as follows:
9-55           (a)  An applicant for an original or renewal of a driver's
9-56     license must apply in a manner prescribed [on a form provided] by
9-57     the department.
9-58           SECTION 16.  Subsection (a), Section 521.143, Transportation
9-59     Code, is amended to read as follows:
9-60           (a)  An application for an original [or renewal of a]
9-61     driver's license must be accompanied by evidence of financial
9-62     responsibility or a statement that the applicant does not own a
9-63     motor vehicle for which evidence of financial responsibility is
9-64     required under Chapter 601. The department may require an
9-65     application for a renewal of a driver's license to be accompanied
9-66     by evidence of financial responsibility or a statement that the
9-67     applicant does not own a motor vehicle for which evidence of
9-68     financial responsibility is required under Chapter 601.
9-69           SECTION 17.  Section 521.274, Transportation Code, is amended
 10-1    to read as follows:
 10-2          Sec. 521.274.  RENEWAL BY MAIL OR ELECTRONIC MEANS.
 10-3    [(a)]  The department by rule may provide that the holder of a
 10-4    driver's license may renew the license by mail, by telephone, over
 10-5    the Internet, or by other electronic means.
 10-6          [(b)]  A rule adopted under this section [subsection] may
 10-7    prescribe eligibility standards for renewal under this section [not
 10-8    permit renewal by mail of:]
 10-9                [(1)  a provisional license;]
10-10                [(2)  an occupational license; or]
10-11                [(3)  a driver's license if the license holder's
10-12    driving record as maintained by the department shows that the
10-13    holder, within the four years preceding the date of the renewal
10-14    application, has been convicted of:]
10-15                      [(A)  a moving violation, as defined by
10-16    department rule, in this state; or]
10-17                      [(B)  an offense described by Subchapter O].
10-18          SECTION 18.  Subchapter R, Chapter 521, Transportation Code,
10-19    is amended by adding Section 521.427 to read as follows:
10-20          Sec. 521.427.  METHOD OF PAYMENT OF FEES.  (a)  The
10-21    department may adopt rules regarding the method of payment of a fee
10-22    for a license or personal identification card issued under this
10-23    chapter.
10-24          (b)  The rules may authorize payment, under circumstances
10-25    prescribed by the department:
10-26                (1)  in person, by mail, by telephone, or over the
10-27    Internet;
10-28                (2)  by means of electronic funds transfer; or
10-29                (3)  by means of a valid credit card issued by a
10-30    financial institution chartered by a state or the federal
10-31    government or by a nationally recognized credit organization
10-32    approved by the department.
10-33          (c)  The rules may require the payment of a discount or
10-34    service charge for a credit card payment in addition to the fee.
10-35          SECTION 19.  Section 644.103, Transportation Code, is amended
10-36    by adding Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows:
10-37          (d)  A noncommissioned employee of the department who is
10-38    certified for the purpose by the director and who is supervised by
10-39    an officer of the department may, at a fixed-site facility, enter a
10-40    motor vehicle that is subject to this chapter.  If the employee's
10-41    inspection shows that an enforcement action, such as the issuance
10-42    of a citation, is warranted, the supervising officer must take the
10-43    action.
10-44          (e)  The department's training and other requirements for
10-45    certification of a noncommissioned employee of the department under
10-46    this section must be the same as the training and requirements,
10-47    other than the training and requirements for becoming and remaining
10-48    a peace officer, for officers who enforce this chapter.
10-49          SECTION 20.  Section 644.104, Transportation Code, is amended
10-50    by adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows:
10-51          (c)  The department may use an officer to conduct an
10-52    inspection under this section if the inspection involves a
10-53    situation that the department determines to reasonably require the
10-54    use or presence of an officer to accomplish the inspection.
10-55          (d)  The department's training and other requirements for
10-56    certification of a noncommissioned employee of the department under
10-57    this section must be the same as the training and requirements,
10-58    other than the training and requirements for becoming and remaining
10-59    a peace officer, for officers who enforce this chapter.
10-60          SECTION 21.  (a)  The Public Safety Commission shall adopt
10-61    each rule and establish all procedures necessary to implement the
10-62    changes in law made by this Act not later than January 1, 2000.
10-63          (b)  Section 411.0031, Government Code, as added by this Act,
10-64    does not apply to a member of the Public Safety Commission
10-65    appointed before the effective date of this Act during the term the
10-66    member is serving on that effective date.
10-67          (c)  The changes in law made by Section 411.0071, Government
10-68    Code, as added by this Act, apply only to an appointment or
10-69    promotion made on or after the effective date of this Act.  A
 11-1    person who, immediately before the effective date of this Act,
 11-2    serves in a position that is designated as a key position by the
 11-3    director of the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas
 11-4    on or after that date continues to possess, after the effective
 11-5    date of this Act, all rights related to holding that position that
 11-6    the person possessed immediately before the effective date of this
 11-7    Act.
 11-8          (d)  Commissions issued under Section 411.023, Government
 11-9    Code, prior to the effective date of this Act, are not affected.
11-10          SECTION 22.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
11-11          SECTION 23.  The importance of this legislation and the
11-12    crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
11-13    emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
11-14    constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
11-15    days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
11-16                                 * * * * *