HBA-MPM H.B. 491 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 491 By: Lewis, Glenn Higher Education 2/24/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, persons seeking to become licensed peace officers must have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED), and successfully complete a licensing course as required by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. Additional education may allow a peace officer to serve the public more effectively. H.B. 491 exempts peace officers enrolled in a degree or certificate program in criminal justice at an institution of higher education from tuition and fees for a course required by the degree or program. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, by adding Section 54.2085, as follows: Sec. 54.2085. PEACE OFFICER ENROLLED IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM. Exempts a person employed by a political subdivision of this state as a peace officer for purposes of Section [sic] 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure (Article 2.12, Who Are Peace Officers) and who is enrolled in a degree or certificate program (program) in criminal justice at an institution of higher education from the payment of tuition and fees for a course the person enrolls in to satisfy a program requirement. SECTION 2. Makes this Act prospective beginning with the 1999 fall semester. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.