BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 2612

By: Flores

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

With the legislature's support and significant funding, the Alamo complex is currently undergoing a massive effort to restore dignity and reverence to this sacred historic site through the comprehensive Alamo Plan. Currently, the Alamo complex rangers provide security for the complex and the state's significant investment of more than $400 million dollars in the plan. The rangers are not commissioned peace officers, but rather are private security officers employed by the Alamo Trust—the nonprofit corporation that runs day-to-day operations at the Alamo complex on behalf of the General Land Office (GLO).

The Alamo complex rangers perform routine security enforcement, including patrolling the grounds; inspecting and safeguarding buildings, properties, and equipment; directing traffic; and assisting visitors. However, since these rangers are not peace officers, they do not have the legal authority to detain or arrest a person engaged in unlawful behavior at the Alamo complex. In the case of unruly visitors or unrest, the Alamo complex rangers must contact the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) to respond to these incidents because SAPD officers can make arrests if needed. With municipal police departments facing police department staffing issues, not having full-time licensed peace officers at the complex puts additional strain on SAPD, which can result in delayed response times for incidents at the Alamo complex.

S.B. 2612 seeks to address this issue and assure that the Alamo complex will be adequately protected both now and during the construction phase of the plan, as well as into the future, by allowing the GLO to commission qualifying Alamo complex rangers as peace officers.

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. 2612 amends the Natural Resources Code to require the General Land Office to commission as a peace officer an Alamo complex ranger who has been certified as qualified to be a peace officer by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. The bill grants an Alamo complex ranger the powers, privileges, and immunities of a peace officer while carrying out their duties as a ranger.

S.B. 2612 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to make a conforming change.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.