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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the enforcement of certain local traffic laws on the |
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campus of a public or private institution of higher education. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 51.203(b), Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) Within a peace officer's primary jurisdiction, a peace |
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officer commissioned under this section: |
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(1) is vested with all the powers, privileges, and |
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immunities of peace officers; |
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(2) may, in accordance with Chapter 14, Code of |
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Criminal Procedure, arrest without a warrant any person who |
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violates a law of the state; and |
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(3) may enforce all traffic laws on streets and |
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highways, including a municipal traffic ordinance relating to the |
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use of a wireless communication device while operating a motor |
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vehicle. |
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SECTION 2. Section 51.212(a), Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) The governing boards of private institutions of higher |
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education, including private junior colleges, are authorized to |
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employ and commission peace officers for the purpose of enforcing: |
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(1) with respect to [state law on] the campuses of |
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private institutions of higher education: |
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(A) state law; and |
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(B) a municipal traffic ordinance relating to the |
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use of a wireless communication device while operating a motor |
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vehicle; and |
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(2) state and local law, including applicable |
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municipal ordinances, at other locations, as permitted by |
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Subsection (b) or Section 51.2125. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |