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.