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.