HBA-BSM S.B. 455 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 455
By: Armbrister
Public Safety
5/17/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current Texas law, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer
Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) is required to establish the minimum
qualifications for a person to enroll in a training program for basic peace
and public security officer and county jailer licenses.  TCLEOSE currently
sets these requirements for initial licensure of peace officers at
obtaining a high school diploma, a general education development (GED) test
indicating high school graduation level, or 12 semester hours credit from
an accredited college or university. Senate Bill 455 prohibits TCLEOSE from
adopting a requirement that an applicant must hold an associate degree or a
higher academic degree to be eligible for a license. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 455 amends the Occupations Code to prohibit the Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education from adopting
a requirement that an applicant must hold an associate degree conferred by
a junior college or a higher academic degree conferred by an institution of
higher education to be eligible for a peace or public security officer or
county jailer license. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.