BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1708

By: Rodríguez

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Several years ago, the Texas Legislature authorized the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to purchase land for the purpose of constructing a new regional crime laboratory, and, after conducting an extensive search, DPS acquired property. Soon thereafter, in response to a consultant's organizational study, DPS created six regions and decided that El Paso would become the new regional headquarters. DPS evaluated the El Paso property as part of its long-term strategic needs for the area and determined that the site was not operationally feasible and posed security risks by placing a small number of noncommissioned staff in a standalone facility with contraband and no law enforcement presence. S.B. 1708 seeks to address this issue by authorizing DPS to lease a portion of federal property in El Paso County known as Fort Bliss for the construction of facilities.

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

S.B. 1708 amends the Government Code to authorize the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to enter into a long-term lease of a portion of federal real property known as Fort Bliss. The bill specifies that such a lease is for the use and benefit of the state and authorizes such a lease to be for a period or term until the real property is donated to DPS.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.