BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1775
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently the Texas Rangers unsolved crime investigation team is only headquartered in Austin.
As proposed, S.B. 1775 provides that the unsolved crimes investigation program (program) is an investigative program within the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas and a function of the Texas Rangers. This bill requires a peace officer to be a sergeant or higher-ranking officer of the Texas Rangers with two or more years of experience in investigating homicides or other major felonies to be approved for employment by the program.
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 the heading to Subchapter J, Chapter 411, Government Code, to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER J. UNSOLVED CRIMES INVESTIGATION PROGRAM
SECTION 2. Amends Section 411.262, Government Code, as follows:
Sec. 411.262. New heading: UNSOLVED CRIMES INVESTIGATION PROGRAM. (a) Provides that the unsolved crimes investigation program (program) is an investigative program within the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS), rather than providing that the unsolved crimes investigation team is an investigatory unit within DPS.
(b) Provides that the program is a function of the Texas Rangers, rather than the team will be located at the headquarters of the Texas Rangers in Austin, Texas, and will be commanded by the chief of the Texas Rangers.
(c) Authorizes the public safety director (director) to employ commissioned peace officers and noncommissioned employees to perform duties required of the program. Makes a conforming change.
(d) Requires a peace officer, to be eligible for employment under this section, to be a sergeant or higher-ranked officer of the Texas Rangers and have two or more years of experience in the investigation of homicides or other major felonies. Deletes existing text requiring a peace officer to be eligible for employment under this section to have not less than four years of experience as a peace officer and a degree from an accredited institution of higher education in law, accounting, or computer science.
(e) Makes no changes to this subsection.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 411.263, Government Code, to authorize employees of the unsolved crimes investigation program of DPS, on the request of an attorney representing the state and with the approval of the director, to assist local law enforcement in the investigation of a crime. Makes a conforming change.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.