AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The members of the five-person Public Safety Commission, which oversees the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS), are privy to a great deal of sensitive information, some of which is classified.
DPS works closely with its federal partners to ensure the safety of our state, which sometimes involves the sharing of classified information. Approximately 170 DPS personnel have a security clearance through the United States Department of Homeland Security. It is important that DPS has the ability to keep the Public Safety Commission, its oversight commission, informed without running afoul of the federal restrictions that govern the handling of classified information. There can be severe consequences, including jail time, for the mishandling of classified information.
As proposed, S.B. 1814 amends current law relating to request, receipt, and maintenance of certain security clearance by members of the Public Safety Commission.
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 411.0036, Government Code, as follows:
Sec. 411.0036. REMOVAL OF COMMISSION MEMBER. (a) Provides that it is a ground for removal from the Public Safety Commission (commission) if a member engages in certain conduct, including if the member does not request, receive, and maintain a federal secret level security clearance. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
(b)-(c) Makes no change to these subsections.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.