BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1417

By: Elkins

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, a peace officer, reserve law enforcement officer, or honorably retired peace officer whose peace officer identification card is lost or stolen is not required to submit an affidavit to the appropriate law enforcement agency or governmental entity stating that the identification card was lost or stolen in order to be issued a duplicate identification card. Concerned parties note that it would be beneficial for public safety purposes for the agency or entity to have the affidavit on file regarding the missing identification card in the event that the card falls into the wrong hands. H.B. 1417 seeks to address this public safety concern and also consolidate currently existing provisions relating to the issuance of a duplicate peace officer identification card.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 1417 amends the Government Code to remove the authorization for a law enforcement agency or other governmental entity that issues a peace officer identification card to require a peace officer, reserve law enforcement officer, or honorably retired peace officer to submit to the agency or entity an affidavit executed by the officer stating that the officer's identification card was lost or stolen and to remove the authorization for the agency or entity to issue a duplicate identification card to the officer. The bill instead requires the agency or entity to issue the duplicate identification card to the officer contingent on the officer's submission of such an affidavit.

H.B. 1417 repeals Subchapter H, Chapter 614, Government Code, as added by Chapter 1187 (H.B. 638), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, relating to identification cards for certain retired peace officers.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.