2003S0390-1 02/26/03


By:  Barrientos                                                 S.C.R. No. 19 



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, Peace officers employed by the State of Texas are 
charged with protecting the public and enforcing the laws of the 
state; and
	WHEREAS, Many state agencies employ peace officers, 
including the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas, the 
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, and the Parks and Wildlife 
Department; and
	WHEREAS, It is in the public interest that the state employ 
the best qualified and most professional persons to serve as peace 
officers for these agencies; and
	WHEREAS, Compensation and benefits paid to peace officers are 
a major factor in attracting qualified candidates to serve as peace 
officers, as well as in retaining them once they have been hired; 
and
	WHEREAS, Many local governments, including municipalities 
and counties, have agencies that employ peace officers, and the 
compensation paid to these peace officers varies widely from agency 
to agency; and
	WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature requires adequate information 
to establish equitable pay and benefits for persons who are 
employed by the state as peace officers; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby request the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house 
of representatives to create an interim committee to conduct a 
study on the compensation and benefits paid to persons employed by 
the state as peace officers; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That the study include a comparison of the 
compensation and benefits of peace officers employed by local 
governments, including municipalities and counties, with those of 
peace officers employed by the state; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That the committee's proceedings and operations be 
governed by such general rules and policies for interim committees 
as the 78th Legislature may adopt and that such rules and policies 
supersede the provisions of this resolution to the extent of any 
conflict; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That the committee submit a full report, including 
findings and recommendations, to the 79th Texas Legislature when it 
convenes in January 2005.