BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1303

By: Seliger

Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Weapons proficiency is extremely important for the safety and well-being of a peace officer, as well as for the public the peace officer is protecting.

Currently, state law requires a law enforcement agency that employs two or more peace officers to appoint one of the officers a firearms proficiency officer, and each officer must annually demonstrate firearms proficiency to the weapons proficiency officer.

S.B. 1303 requires an agency that employs one or more peace officers to designate a firearms proficiency officer and requires each peace officer the agency employs to demonstrate weapons proficiency to the firearms proficiency officer at least annually. 

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

S.B. 1303 amends the Occupations Code to require an agency that employs one or more, rather than at least two, peace officers to designate a firearms proficiency officer and to require each peace officer the agency employs to demonstrate weapons proficiency to the firearms proficiency officer at least annually.  The bill requires a law enforcement agency affected by the bill's provisions to designate a firearms proficiency officer not later than March 1, 2010, and clarifies that a state or local governmental entity that employs one or more peace officers is a law enforcement agency for purposes of continuing demonstration of weapons proficiency.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.