BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.S.B. 2332
	By: Parker
	Border Security
	4/11/2025
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) regularly employs aircraft to carry out critical law enforcement and public safety missions across Texas. Under current law, although DPS manages its fleet to some extent, statutory provisions regarding the location of DPS-owned aircraft, the primary responsibility for their upkeep and scheduling, and pilot requirements remain dispersed. This can lead to inefficiencies and excess cost in the deployment of aircraft to regions where they are most needed.

S.B. 2332 seeks to address these gaps by explicitly designating DPS as the primary authority to maintain and schedule its aircraft, ensuring uniform oversight and management of the DPS fleet. By authorizing DPS to base its aircraft wherever necessary and requiring that each pilot be a DPS employee, the bill aims to reduce operational costs and bolster the state's rapid-response capabilities.

(Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

C.S.S.B. 2332 amends current law relating to aircraft owned and operated by the Department of Public Safety.

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 2205.031(a), Government Code, to create an exception under Section 2205.0331.

SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 2205, Government Code, by adding Section 2205.0331, as follows:

Sec. 2205.0331. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AIRCRAFT. (a) Provides that the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS) is primarily responsible for maintaining and scheduling aircraft DPS owns and operates.

(b) Requires DPS to base DPS aircraft at locations throughout this state as DPS considers necessary.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.