BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

S.B. 1697

By: Williams

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This bill changes the Code of Criminal Procedure to allow for the establishment of a Department of Public Safety Reserve Officer Cadre comprised of retired Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS) troopers, agents, and Texas rangers to augment DPS operations around the state as needed.

There are thousands of highly talented and dedicated retired DPS officers throughout the state who would gladly invest their time to support DPS in achieving its vital mission without remuneration.  These reserve officers could conduct background investigations and help monitor sex offenders, which would decrease the amount of time DPS officers spend on patrol or conducting criminal enterprise investigations.  They could also be used to supplement patrol by staffing two-man units in high threat areas and, during disasters, to provide immediate assistance to DPS.

S.B. 1697 amends current law relating to duties and restrictions regarding the special Texas Rangers.

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

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 411.023, Government Code, by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (g), as follows:

 

(b)  Provides that a special ranger is subject to the orders of the Public Safety Commission (commission) and the governor for special duty to the same extent as other law enforcement officers provided for by this chapter, except that a special ranger is prohibited from enforcing a law regulating the use of a state highway by a motor vehicle, rather than a law except one designed to protect life and property and from enforcing a law regulating the use of a state highway by a motor vehicle.

 

(g)  Authorizes the public safety director (director) to call special rangers into service to:

 

(1) preserve the peace and protect life and property;

 

(2) conduct background investigations;

 

(3) monitor sex offenders;

 

(4) serve as part of two-officer units on patrol in high threat areas; and

 

(5) provide assistance to the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS) during disasters.

 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 411.024, Government Code, by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (g), as follows:

 

(b)  Provides that a special Texas Ranger is subject to the orders of the commission and the governor for special duty to the same extent as other law enforcement officers provided for by this chapter, except that a special Texas Ranger is prohibited from enforcing a law regulating the use of a state highway by a motor vehicle, rather than a law except one designed to protect life and property and from enforcing a law regulating the use of a state highway by a motor vehicle.

 

(g)  Authorizes the director to call special Texas rangers into service to:

 

(1) preserve the peace and protect life and property;

 

(2) conduct background investigations;

 

(3) monitor sex offenders;

 

(4) serve as part of two-officer units on patrol in high threat areas; and

 

(5) provide assistance to DPS during disasters.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2011.