BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2050

By: Bonnen, Greg

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that state law requires information submitted by a law enforcement agency to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) relating to law enforcement employment records to remain confidential. These parties contend that while in practice it has been assumed that copies of that information retained by the submitting law enforcement agency are also confidential, clarity is needed to prevent confusion or inadvertent noncompliance. C.S.H.B. 2050 seeks to provide that clarity by specifying that copies of the information submitted to TCOLE held by the submitting agency remain confidential.

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. 2050 amends the Occupations Code to specify that the information submitted to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement relating to law enforcement agency employment records that is considered confidential includes a copy of that information retained by the submitting law enforcement agency.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 2050 differs from the original only by amending the caption.