80R2542 KEL-D

By: Geren H.B. No. 1424

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an appropriation to the Department of Public Safety for the purpose of administering and supporting certain databases and clearinghouses related to missing persons and children.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. (a) In addition to other amounts appropriated to the Department of Public Safety for all or part of the state fiscal biennium ending August 31, 2009, the amount of $1.25 million is appropriated out of the general revenue fund to the Department of Public Safety for the state fiscal year ending August 31, 2008, and the amount of $1.25 million is appropriated out of the general revenue fund to the Department of Public Safety for the state fiscal year ending August 31, 2009, for the purpose of administering and supporting:

(1) the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Missing Persons DNA Database established under Subchapter B, Chapter 63, Code of Criminal Procedure; and

(2) the missing children and missing persons information clearinghouse established within the department under Subchapter A, Chapter 63, Code of Criminal Procedure.

(b) Of the amount appropriated under Subsection (a) of this section for each state fiscal year:

(1) $825,000 may be used by the Department of Public Safety only to make payments under an interagency contract with the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth for use by the health science center to administer the database described by Subsection (a)(1) of this section; and

(2) the remaining $425,000 may be used by the department only to:

(A) pay department expenses associated with the database described by Subsection (a)(1) of this section; and

(B) administer the clearinghouse described by Subsection (a)(2) of this section.

(c) In addition to the number of full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) the Department of Public Safety is authorized by other law to employ during the following periods, the department may employ:

(1) an additional five FTEs during the state fiscal year ending August 31, 2008; and

(2) an additional five FTEs during the state fiscal year ending August 31, 2009.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2007.