79R14908 KSD-D


By:  Callegari                                                    H.B. No. 2163



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the use by an active peace officer of the officer's rank 
or status to advertise or promote certain private businesses.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 614, Government Code, is amended by 
adding Subchapter H to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER H.  PRIVATE COMMERCIAL USE OF RANK OR STATUS

AS PEACE OFFICER
	Sec. 614.151.  DEFINITION.  In this subchapter, "peace 
officer" means an individual elected, appointed, or employed to 
serve as a peace officer for a governmental entity under Article 
2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure.
	Sec. 614.152.  USE OF RANK OR STATUS AS PEACE OFFICER TO 
ADVERTISE OR PROMOTE PRIVATE BUSINESS PROHIBITED.  (a)  An active 
peace officer may not use the peace officer's rank or status as a 
peace officer to advertise or otherwise promote a private business 
in which the peace officer has an ownership interest or of which the 
peace officer is a manager.
	(b)  A peace officer who violates this section is subject to 
disciplinary action by the Commission on Law Enforcement Officer 
Standards and Education under Subchapter K, Chapter 1701, 
Occupations Code.  For purposes of Section 1701.501, Occupations 
Code, a violation of this section is considered a violation of 
Chapter 1701, Occupations Code.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.