BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2135

By: Miller, Doug

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, not all peace officers or family members of all peace officers are allowed to purchase the service weapon issued to the officer during the officer's career of service in law enforcement. Interested parties point to a situation in which the family of a retired or deceased peace officer wanted to honor their family member by purchasing the officer's service weapon but was unable to do so due to limitations in current law. These parties note that this interferes with a family's ability to honor their family member. H.B. 2135 seeks to address this issue.

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. 2135 amends the Government Code to make statutory provisions relating to the purchase of an honorably retired or deceased peace officer's firearm from a state agency applicable to a county or municipality.

H.B. 2135 repeals Section 170.002, Local Government Code.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.