BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1639

By: Hopson

Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, an employee commissioned as a peace officer under the Texas Pharmacy Act has the powers, privileges, and immunities of a peace officer while carrying out duties as a peace officer under that act except that the employee may not carry a firearm or make an arrest. Because of the diversion of legal drugs to street drugs, it is important to protect our pharmacy inspectors. 

H.B. 1639 allows a peace officer commissioned under the Texas Pharmacy Act to carry a firearm and to make an arrest.

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. 1639 amends the Occupations Code to remove the prohibition against carrying a firearm or making an arrest for an employee commissioned as a peace officer by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy under the Texas Pharmacy Act.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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