SRC-VRA H.B. 983 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 983 78R4184 SMH-DBy: Talton (Staples) Intergovernmental Relations 5/17/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current statutory law grants municipalities and counties the authority to request that the Department of Public Safety conduct background checks on potential employees. The authority was granted because employees of both counties and municipalities often enter upon the property of residents and, therefore, should be of the highest moral and ethical character. The duties of employees of an appraisal district are no different. In order to evaluate property, staff must visit and inspect property. H.B. 983 grants appraisal districts the authority to request a background check from the Department of Public Safety. 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 Subchapter F, Chapter 411, Government Code, by adding Section 411.1296, as follows: Sec. 411.1296. ACCESS TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD INFORMATION: EMPLOYMENT BY APPRAISAL DISTRICT. (a) Provides that except as provided by Subsection (b), an appraisal district established by Section 6.01, Tax Code, is entitled to obtain from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) criminal history record information maintained by DPS that relates to a person who is an applicant for employment by the appraisal district. (b) Provides that an appraisal district is not entitled to obtain under this section any information about a person if the appraisal district is entitled to obtain under another section of this subchapter any criminal history record information about the person. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.