| TO: | Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB956 by Seliger (Relating to the appointment and jurisdiction of cattle rangers.), As Introduced |
The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure as it relates to the appointment and jurisdiction of cattle rangers.
The bill would allow the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to appoint up to 50 special rangers, who are employed by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, to aid law enforcement agencies in the investigation of the theft of livestock or related property. The special rangers would be able to make arrests and exercise all authority given peace officers to prevent or abate the commission of an offense involving livestock or related property. Special rangers would not be entitled to state benefits normally provided to a peace officer. The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association would be liable for any act or omission by a person serving as a special ranger, as well as all expenses incurred.
The bill would also establish procedures for special ranger appointments and certifications, and provide DPS and the Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education the authority to revoke special ranger licenses.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2005.
| Source Agencies: | 405 Department of Public Safety
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| LBB Staff: | JOB, KJG, VDS, SJ, LM
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