S.B. 307 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 307
By: Gallegos
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 for each agency to be represented within
TCLEOSE, Senate Bill 307 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

Senate Bill 307 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.