88R1678 DRS-D
 
  By: Cortez, et al. H.B. No. 278
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to hiring and licensing certain veterans as peace
  officers.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Chapter 370, Local Government
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 370. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS RELATING TO [MUNICIPAL AND
  COUNTY] HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY OF MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF LOCAL
  GOVERNMENT
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 370, Local Government Code, is amended
  by adding Section 370.007 to read as follows:
         Sec. 370.007.  COMMISSIONING AND EMPLOYING CERTAIN VETERANS
  AS PEACE OFFICERS. Notwithstanding any other law, a political
  subdivision that commissions and employs peace officers may
  commission and employ as a peace officer a legal permanent resident
  of the United States who is an honorably discharged veteran of the
  armed forces of the United States.
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter G, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 1701.3095 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1701.3095.  LICENSING OF CERTAIN VETERANS WHO ARE LEGAL
  PERMANENT RESIDENTS. The commission shall issue a peace officer
  license to a person who is a legal permanent resident of the United
  States if the person:
               (1)  meets the requirements of this chapter and the
  commission's rules; and
               (2)  is an honorably discharged veteran of the armed
  forces of the United States.
         SECTION 4.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement shall amend
  rules as necessary to comply with Section 1701.3095, Occupations
  Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.