LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 25, 2015

TO:
Honorable Allen Fletcher, Chair, House Committee on Emerging Issues In Texas Law Enforcement, Select
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB2357 by Gutierrez (Relating to the investigation of deaths involving peace officers.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to require that all investigations of peace officer-involved deaths be primarily conducted by investigators employed outside of the peace officer's agency. The bill also would amend the Government Code to establish a Law Enforcement Review Board to investigate and review each officer-involved death.  The Office of the Attorney General would be required to provide staff, a main office, and other support necessary for the review board.

The bill would require the investigation findings of officer-involved deaths to be reported to the Law Enforcement Review Board.  The Attorney General would be required to post the findings of the investigation and the review board on the agency's public website. 

It is assumed the costs of implementing the provisions of the bill can be absorbed within current resources. The bill would take effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house; otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2015.

Local Government Impact

The bill would create requirements for local sheriff and police departments in investigating officer-involved deaths. The requirements could create a significant fiscal cost on local law enforcement agencies depending on the number of officer-involved deaths within the department.

The Galveston Police Department reported that an additional detective would need to be hired and the officer would require significant training and equipment. The department anticipates a  total cost of $202,576 to comply with the provisions of the bill.


Source Agencies:
302 Office of the Attorney General, 405 Department of Public Safety, 407 Commission on Law Enforcement
LBB Staff:
UP, ESi, AI, JAW, RCa, KVe, TBo