BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 772

By: Uresti

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties suggest that permitting a code enforcement officer who is performing official duties to possess or carry an instrument used for deterring the bite of an animal will lessen the chances the officer and the animal are harmed in the case of an animal attack. S.B. 772 seeks to give code enforcement officers that authority, as well as training regarding the principles and procedures to be followed when possessing or carrying an instrument used specifically for deterring the bite of an animal.

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

S.B. 772 amends the Penal Code to exempt from certain statutory provisions prohibiting the possession or carrying of a club a code enforcement officer who holds a certificate of registration issued under applicable Occupations Code provisions and who possesses or carries an instrument used specifically for deterring the bite of an animal while the officer is performing official duties or traveling to or from a place of duty.

S.B. 772 amends the Occupations Code, as effective September 1, 2017, to require the education requirements for the registration of code enforcement officers and code enforcement officers in training to include education regarding the principles and procedures to be followed when possessing or carrying an instrument used specifically for deterring the bite of an animal. The bill specifies that the approved curriculum established by the continuing education requirements for code enforcement officers and code enforcement officers in training is to include those same principles and procedures.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.