BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3935

By: Fletcher

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that although a large number of veterans express interest in becoming peace officers, many veterans have faced difficulty in finding a law enforcement agency willing to hire and train them. As a result, such veterans often are overlooked in favor of individuals who already are certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. C.S.H.B. 3935 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

C.S.H.B. 3935 amends the Occupations Code to authorize the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to seek to obtain state and federal funds, including grants, to assist local law enforcement agencies in providing training to military veterans who seek to become officers.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 3935 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 1701.165 to read as follows: Sec. 1701.165.  VETERANS ASSISTANCE.  (a)  In this section, "military veteran" has the meaning assigned by Section 55.001. (b)  The commission shall seek to obtain state and federal funds, including grants, to assist local law enforcement agencies in providing training to military veterans who seek to become officers.	SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 1701.165 to read as follows: Sec. 1701.165.  VETERANS ASSISTANCE.  (a)  In this section, "military veteran" has the meaning assigned by Section 55.001. (b)  The commission may seek to obtain state and federal funds, including grants, to assist local law enforcement agencies in providing training to military veterans who seek to become officers.
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.