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78R4197 MTB-D

By:  Corte                                                        H.B. No. 1235



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of security forces in certain 
metropolitan rapid transit authorities.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 451.108, Transportation Code, is amended 
by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and by adding Subsection (d) to 
read as follows:
	(a)  An authority may establish a security force, employ 
security personnel, and commission security personnel as [and 
employ] peace officers.
	(b)  A peace officer commissioned under this section, except 
as provided by Subsections (c) and (d) [Subsection (c)], may:
		(1)  make an arrest in any county in which the transit 
authority system is located as necessary to prevent or abate the 
commission of an offense against the law of this state or a 
political subdivision of this state if the offense or threatened 
offense occurs on or involves the transit authority system or its 
users;
		(2)  make an arrest for an offense involving injury or 
detriment to the transit authority system or its users;
		(3)  enforce [traffic] laws and investigate traffic 
accidents that involve or occur in the transit authority system; 
and
		(4)  provide emergency and public safety services to 
the transit authority system or users of the transit authority 
system.
	(d)  A peace officer who holds a commission under this 
section from an authority created before 1980 in which the 
principal municipality has a population of less than 1.2 million 
and who has filed with the authority the oath of a peace officer has 
all the powers, privileges, and immunities of peace officers in the 
counties in which the transit authority system is located, provides 
services, or is supported by a general sales and use tax while the 
peace officer is on the transit authority system property or 
performing duties in connection with the transit authority system 
or its users.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.