HBA-JRA, ALS H.B. 722 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 722
By: Staples
Agriculture and Livestock
7/15/1999
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 76th Legislature, there were 12 peace officer positions in the
Texas Forest Service (TFS), with only 3 of these officers working in
full-time positions.  In the past, the TFS's responsibilities were confined
to East Texas, exclusively dealing with the investigation of wildfires and
wildland arson. Today, the TFS is responsible for the investigation of
statewide wildfires, the investigation and prosecution of timber theft
(which is now a prevalent problem in East Texas), and training local fire
departments and enforcement personnel on those topics.  There is concern
that the number of enforcement officer positions prior to the 76th
Legislature  was not adequate to address the increased workload on the
Texas Forest Service.  H.B. 722 allows the TFS to appoint 25 peace officers
to execute its duties.   

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 Section 88.103, Education Code, to authorize the
director of the Texas Forest Service (director) to appoint no more than 25,
rather than 12, Texas Forest Service employees who are certified by the
Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education as qualified
to be peace officers to serve under the director's direction as peace
officers in executing the duties of the Texas Forest Service. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.