BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2584

By: Cortez

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that certified code enforcement officers routinely encounter hostile and dangerous animals while performing official duties but lack the tools to address this danger sufficiently. H.B. 2584 seeks to address these concerns by providing for the authority of a code enforcement officer to possess or carry an instrument used specifically for deterring an animal bite.

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

H.B. 2584 amends the Penal Code to exempt from statutory provisions prohibiting the possession or carrying of a club a code enforcement officer who holds a certificate of registration and who possesses or carries an instrument used specifically for deterring an animal bite while the officer is performing official duties or traveling to or from a place of duty.

H.B. 2584 amends the Occupations Code 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 an animal bite. The bill requires the approved curriculum for the continuing education of such officers and officers in training to include material regarding those same principles and procedures.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.