BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1492

By: Driver

Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education currently issues, on the behalf of the State of Texas, not more than 20 awards each year for professional achievement. However, there are situations when one incident may involve several officers, all equally worthy of the same award, but the award process requires each officer to be nominated.  The judges then must decide who is most deserving of the award, when each of the officers played a vital part in the situation. An example of this is the case of the current nominees, Deputies Thomas R. Diaz, Raymond L. Salazar, Erik L. Barron, and David M. Bair, of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, all of whom acted valiantly as they faced serious danger and performed their duties without hesitation while pursuing a suspect reportedly involved in a drive-by shooting. The limitation on awards also limits the rightful recognition of these officers’ professional conduct in the line of duty.

H.B. 1492 authorizes the Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education to present awards relating to not more than a total of 20 incidents and accomplishments each year rather than limiting the number of awards to not more than 20 awards each year.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1492 amends the Occupations Code to authorize the Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education to present awards relating to not more than a total of 20 incidents and accomplishments each year rather than limiting the number of awards presented to not more than 20 awards each year.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.