BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3412

By: Flynn

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

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 (DPS) 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 qualifications for all other supervisory ranks within the Texas Rangers are specifically set by statute. Critics note that the lack of statute 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 qualifications 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.

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

H.B. 3412 amends the Government Code to make an officer eligible for appointment by the public safety director of the Department of Public Safety 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. The bill authorizes the public safety 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 that position of major only if the lieutenant has at least two years of supervisory experience as a commissioned member of the Texas Rangers.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.