AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

A few years ago, the rank, or title, of the six Texas Ranger company commanders changed from captain to major in order to align with similar ranks in other Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas divisions.  While the rank change to major served that intended purpose, it also created some confusion with regard to promotion to the position of major because the qualification for all other supervisory ranks within the Texas Rangers are specifically set by statute.  Critics note that the lack of statutory language regarding promotions to major often causes the available pool of candidates for the major position to be very small and that legislation is needed to specifically address the qualification for the rank of major in the Texas Rangers.  H.B. 3412 seeks to expand the pool of eligible candidates for the position of major by providing statutory eligibility requirements for appointment as major.

 

H.B. 3412 amends current law relating to the qualifications for certain positions with the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas.

 

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 411.0223, Government Code, as follows:

 

Sec. 411.0223.  APPOINTMENT OF HIGHEST-RANKING OFFICERS.  (a)  Provides that an officer, except as provided by Subsection (c), is eligible for appointment by the public safety director to chief, rather than to the highest rank, of the Texas Rangers only if the officer has at least five years of supervisory experience as a commissioned member of the Texas Rangers.

 

(b)  Provides that an officer, except as provided by Subsection (c), is eligible for appointment by the director to assistant chief, rather than to the second highest rank, of the Texas Rangers only if the officer has at least four years of supervisory experience as a commissioned member of the Texas Rangers.

 

(c)  Authorizes the director, if there are fewer than two qualified officers for appointment to chief or assistant chief of the Texas Rangers, rather than if there are less than two qualified officers for appointment to the highest rank or the second highest rank of the Texas Rangers, to appoint an officer to the position of chief or assistant chief of the Texas Rangers, rather than to the highest rank or the second highest rank, only if the officer has at least two years of supervisory experience as a commissioned member of the Texas Rangers.

 

(d)  Provides that an officer, except as provided by Subsection (e), is eligible for appointment by the director to the rank of major of the Texas Rangers only if the officer has at least one year of supervisory experience as a captain of the Texas Rangers.

 

(e)  Authorizes the director, if there are fewer than two qualified captains for appointment to the rank of major of the Texas Rangers, to appoint a lieutenant to the position of major of the Texas Rangers only if the lieutenant has at least two years of supervisory experience as a commissioned member of the Texas Rangers.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2013.