BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1303

81R9894 SLB-D                                                                                                               By: Seliger

Criminal Justice

4/5/2009

As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current law requires a law enforcement agency that employs at least two peace officers to designate a firearms proficiency officer and requires each peace officer to demonstrate his or her firearms proficiency to that officer annually.  There are currently 551 one-person departments whose officers are not required to be firearms proficient.

As proposed, S.B. 1303 amends Section 1701.225(a), Occupations Code, to require an agency that employs one or more peace officers to designate a firearms proficiency officer and require each peace officer to demonstrate weapons proficiency to the firearms proficiency officer.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 1701.355(a), 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 require each peace officer the agency employs to demonstrate weapons proficiency to the firearms proficiency officer at least annually.

SECTION 2.  Requires a law enforcement agency affected by the change in law made by this Act to designate a firearms proficiency officer not later than March 1, 2010.  Provides that for purposes of this section, a state or local governmental entity that employs one or more peace officers is a law enforcement agency.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2009.