Honorable Larry Phillips, Chair, House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB593 by Collier (Relating to animal encounter training for peace officers.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Occupations Code to require the Commission on Law Enforcement to establish an animal encounter training program for law enforcement officers by January 1, 2016. The training program would consist of at least eight hours of classroom instruction and practical training with emphasis on canine handling with non-lethal methods. The commission would be required to review and update the training program as necessary at least once every four years. Officers would take the course at least once every 48 months, with renewal courses allowed to be administered online, and the initial course would be completed not later than the second anniversary of the date the officer is licensed or the date the officer applies for an intermediate proficiency certificate, whichever occurs first.
The Department of Public Safety and the Commission on Law Enforcement have indicated that implementing the bill would result in no significant fiscal impact to those agencies.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2015.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Harris County reported training costs of $468,000 for the sheriff's department, $252,540 for constables and constable reserves, and $9,000 for fire marshals for a total cost of $729,540 every 48 months.
Source Agencies:
405 Department of Public Safety, 407 Commission on Law Enforcement