BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1851
	By: Morales, Eddie et al. (Hughes)
	Economic Development
	5/20/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In current statute, municipal and county law enforcement agencies in economically disadvantaged areas can purchase surplus Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) vehicles at a discounted rate. However, school district police departments are ineligible to utilize this discount purchase policy. Many school districts, particularly those in economically disadvantaged areas, lack the necessary resources to enhance security measures and transportation for law enforcement personnel. To address this issue, H.B. 1851 seeks to facilitate the transfer of surplus motor vehicles and other law enforcement equipment from DPS to school districts in these areas.

Currently, the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) oversees the disposition of surplus state property, including vehicles and equipment used by law enforcement agencies. H.B. 1851 amends Section 2175.308, Government Code, to allow DPS to transfer such surplus resources directly to eligible school districts. This initiative will provide schools with additional tools to improve safety, support resource officers, and strengthen emergency response capabilities.

H.B. 1851 authorizes TFC to transfer surplus motor vehicles from DPS to school districts in economically disadvantaged areas. The transfer may be conducted at a price or under other considerations agreed upon by TFC and the school district.

Additionally, school districts that receive surplus property under this provision may not sell the equipment before the second anniversary of the date the property is received, ensuring the resources remain dedicated to school safety for a reasonable period. 

H.B. 1851 amends current law relating to the disposition of certain surplus motor vehicles and other law enforcement equipment by the Texas Facilities Commission to certain school districts.

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 Section 2175.308, Government Code, as follows:

Sec. 2175.308. EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. (a) Authorizes the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC), notwithstanding any conflicting provision of Chapter 2175 (Surplus and Salvage Property), if TFC determines that this state's efforts to secure this state's international border and combat transnational crime will sufficiently benefit from the donation of the surplus motor vehicles and other law enforcement equipment of the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas to a municipal or county law enforcement agency, or to a school district, located in an economically disadvantaged area of this state, to transfer the property to the agency or district at a price or for other consideration agreed to by the TFC and the agency or district.

(b) Prohibits a law enforcement agency or school district that receives surplus property under Subsection (a) from selling the property before the second anniversary of the date the property is received.

(c) Prohibits a school district that receives surplus property under Subsection (a) from using the property for a purpose other than in the performance of law enforcement duties by peace officers, school resource officers, or security personnel as described by Section 37.081 (School District Peace Officers, School Resource Officers, and Security Personnel), Education Code.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.