Bill Text: TX HB163 | 2021 | 87th Legislature 3rd Special Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the employment and licensing of border security officers employed by the Department of Public Safety; making an appropriation.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-10-11 - Filed [HB163 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB163-Introduced.html
  87S30561 MCK-D
 
  By: Toth H.B. No. 163
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the employment and licensing of border security
  officers employed by the Department of Public Safety; making an
  appropriation.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 411.02091 to read as follows:
         Sec. 411.02091.  BORDER SECURITY OFFICERS. (a) The
  department may employ as a border security officer to assist
  department efforts along the Texas-Mexico border an individual who:
               (1)  has served in the United States armed forces and
  received either:
                     (A)  an honorable discharge; or
                     (B)  a dishonorable discharge because the
  individual refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19; and
               (2)  holds a border security officer license issued by
  the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
         (b)  The department shall develop for border security
  officers a training program that complies with the requirements of
  Subchapter P, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code.
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter P to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER P. BORDER SECURITY OFFICERS
         Sec. 1701.751.  BORDER SECURITY OFFICER LICENSE. (a) The
  commission shall adopt rules establishing a border security officer
  license for border security officers of the Department of Public
  Safety.
         (b)  The rules adopted under Subsection (a) must provide for
  an application process for a border security officer license that
  is similar to the application process for a peace officer license.
         Sec. 1701.752.  ELIGIBILITY. A border security officer
  license may be issued only to an individual who:
               (1)  served in the United States armed forces and
  received either:
                     (A)  an honorable discharge; or
                     (B)  a dishonorable discharge because the
  individual refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19; and
               (2)  satisfies the eligibility requirements
  established by commission rule.
         Sec. 1701.753.  REQUIRED TRAINING. The commission, in
  consultation with the Department of Public Safety, shall establish
  training requirements for border security officers.
         Sec. 1701.754.  AUTHORITY OF BORDER SECURITY OFFICER. (a)
  An individual who holds a border security officer license has the
  same authority as a peace officer except as otherwise provided by
  commission rule.
         (b)  The commission, in consultation with the Department of
  Public Safety, shall adopt rules to implement this section.
         SECTION 3.  The amount of $1 billion is appropriated from the
  general revenue fund to the Department of Public Safety of the State
  of Texas for the purpose of providing salaries to border security
  officers employed by the department during the two-year period
  beginning on the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the
  legislative session.
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