SRC-MWN H.B. 335 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 335 By: West, George "Buddy" (Armbrister) Criminal Justice 5/3/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE During its 60 years as the leading state law enforcement branch, the Department of Public Safety (department) has served various functions, including the protection of citizens from crime and the coordination of efforts to avoid and minimize natural disasters. Through the support of Texans and its dedicated employees, department has become known nationally and internationally as a premier law enforcement agency. In an effort to document and preserve the legacy of department, retired and active department employees created the Texas Department of Public Safety Historical Museum and Research Center (museum) in Austin, Texas in 1994. H.B. 335 authorizes the Public Safety Commission to enter into a contract with the museum to use department personnel and property to assist the museum. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 411, Government Code, by adding Subchapter J, to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER J. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY HISTORICAL MUSEUM AND RESEARCH CENTER Sec. 411.301. DEFINITION. Defines "museum." Sec. 411.302. GENERAL PROVISIONS. Authorizes the Public Safety Commission (commission) to perform certain procedures. Sec. 411.303. PERSONNEL. (a) Authorizes the director to appoint and assign duties to department personnel to serve as paid support staff for the museum. (b) Authorizes the support staff to consist of certain persons. (c) Authorizes the department to spend funds to hire support staff. Sec. 411.304. FUNDING. Provides that the Department of Public Safety Historical Museum and Research Center account is created as a special account outside the state treasury to be held at the Department of Public Safety Credit Union and to be administered by the commission. Authorizes the money in the account to be used only to administer this subchapter. (b) Provides that the account is composed of gifts, grants, and donations collected by the department from any public or private source for the purposes of this subchapter. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001.