By: Lucio S.B. No. 1853
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to authorizing the Department of Public Safety of the
  State of Texas to establish a statewide program for the prevention
  and detection of certain criminal offenses.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 411.0208 to read as follows:
         Sec. 411.0208.  STATEWIDE PROGRAM FOR THE PREVENTION AND
  DETECTION OF CERTAIN CRIMINAL OFFENSES. (a)  The department may
  establish a program throughout this state for preventing and
  detecting the unlawful possession or the unlawful and imminent
  movement or transfer from this state to an adjacent state or the
  United Mexican States of:
               (1)  firearms, in violation of Section 46.14, Penal
  Code;
               (2)  controlled substances, in violation of Chapter
  481, Health and Safety Code;
               (3)  currency, in violation of Section 34.02, Penal
  Code; or
               (4)  smuggling or trafficking of persons in violation
  of Section 20.05 or Chapter 20A, Penal Code.
         (b)  A peace officer participating in a program established
  under this section must have probable cause to believe that
  firearms, controlled substances, or currency are unlawfully
  possessed, or that firearms, controlled substances, currency, or
  persons are being unlawfully and imminently moved or transferred
  from this state to an adjacent state or the United Mexican States,
  as applicable, before exercising the officer's authority under the
  program, including stopping a person or vehicle or coming into
  contact with a person.
         (c)  In developing the program, the department shall
  establish:
               (1)  clear guidelines and procedures to mitigate any
  unnecessary negative impact on the flow of trade, commerce, or
  daily business activities in locations where the program is
  implemented; and
               (2)  protocols, standards, and guidelines to minimize
  any intrusion on a person in an encounter with a peace officer
  exercising the officer's authority under the program.
         (d)  The department shall implement the program established
  under this section in conjunction with federal and local law
  enforcement agencies.
         (e)  The director shall adopt rules as necessary to implement
  and administer a program established under this section.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2015.