H.B. 1158 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 1158
By: Driver
Law Enforcement
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current state law, three of the nine members of the Texas Commission
on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) must be
sheriffs, constables, or chiefs of police.  From 1965-2003, 21 police
chiefs, twelve sheriffs, and two constables have served on the board,
which governs all Texas peace officers.  This disparity hinders
communication between TCLEOSE and constables and their deputies, resulting
in a lack of advocacy for constables' and deputies' concerns to their
governing board.  In order that each agency is represented within TCLEOSE,
House Bill 1158 amends the Occupations Code to require the commission to
include one member who is a sheriff, one who is a chief of police, and one
who is a constable.  
    
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1158 amends Section 1701.051 of the Occupations Code by
deleting language requiring three members of the Texas Commission on Law
Enforcement Officer Standards and Education to be sheriffs,  constables,
or police chiefs and adding language requiring the Commission to include
one member who is a sheriff, one who is a constable, and one who is a
chief of police. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2003.