BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2612
88R24300 SCP-F	By: Flores et al.
	Criminal Justice
	4/24/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

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

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

S.B. 2612 will amend Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, to include commissioning by the General Land Office of certain Alamo complex rangers as Texas peace officers.  Commissioning of Alamo Rangers as peace officers will assure the complex will be adequately protected both now and during the construction of the plan and into the future.

As proposed, S.B. 2612 amends current law relating to the commissioning by the General Land Office of certain Alamo complex rangers as peace officers.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, to provide that peace officers include Alamo complex rangers commissioned by the General Land Office (GLO) under Section 31.0515, Natural Resources Code, subject to the limitations imposed by that section, and to make nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 31.0515, Natural Resources Code, as follows:

Sec. 31.0515. DUTIES RELATED TO THE ALAMO COMPLEX. (a) Requires GLO 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. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

(b) Provides that an Alamo complex ranger commissioned as a peace officer under this section has the powers, privileges, and immunities of a peace officer while carrying out duties as an Alamo complex ranger under this section.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2023.