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19 Document(s) [ Subject: Police officers ]

Committee: House Criminal Justice Reform, Interim Study
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Asset forfeiture | Bail | Juries | Jury instructions | Juvenile detention facilities | Juvenile justice system | Parole | Penalties and sentences (Criminal justice) | Police misconduct | Police officers | Police reform | Prisons | Prosecutorial misconduct |
Library Call Number:
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [42 pages  File size: 1,951 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Monitor the implementation of SB 6, 87th 2nd C.S., relating to changes in the state's bail system, to determine if additional legislation is needed to ensure Texans are protected from the most dangerous criminals while ensuring the constitutional rights of defendants.
2. Examine the following areas of criminal justice policy: (A) Policing, including training, use of force, arrest procedures, and alternative responses to nonviolent and noncriminal issues; (B) Criminal procedure and due process from initial detention through appeal, including:
  • policies and penalties relating to drug offenses;
  • use of prosecutorial discretion;
  • use and conditions of detention and incarceration;
  • the civil asset forfeiture process; and
  • jury instructions and sentencing guidelines in felony cases;
(C) The level of transparency in policing and prosecution, including the grand jury process; (D) The appropriate age range for the juvenile justice system and parole eligibility, in addition to procedures for juveniles certified as adults; and (E) Opportunities to reduce recidivism and remove barriers to re-entry after justice involvement.
Committee: Senate To Protect All Texans, Special
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Gun safety | Mental health services | Police officers | School safety | School shootings |
Library Call Number: L1836.87 P485
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [99 pages  File size: 3,857 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Study school safety, mental health, social media, police training and firearm safety and make recommendations to prevent future school shootings. *
Committee: House County Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Bail | Child abuse | Child Protective Services | County jails | County roads | Court costs and fees | Criminal justice | Criminal records | Electronic security | Emergency management | Fees | Indigent health care | Jail Standards, Texas Commission on | Managed care | Medicaid | Mentally ill inmates | Mentally ill persons | Natural disasters | Police officers | Suicide |
Library Call Number: L1836.84 C832
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View report [112 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review jail standards and procedures with regards to potentially mentally ill persons in county jails, as well as issues stemming from interactions between the general public and peace officers. *
2. Study the effectiveness and efficiency of current programs in Texas as well as best practices to determine how to decrease the risk and mitigate the impact of wildfires, floods, and other natural hazards in the wildland-urban interface. Examine the duties, performance, and jurisdictions of water districts, municipalities, Emergency Services Districts, other similar districts, and state offices like the Fire Marshal and Extension Services. Evaluate current regulations and identify best practices. Recommend approaches for hazard mitigation and response to natural disasters. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Urban Affairs)
3. Identify and address potential gaps in counties’ cybersecurity policies and ensure that personal information held by counties and other local governmental entities is secure.
4. Evaluate the Texas Commission on Jail Standards to determine if the Commission has the resources and structure to provide sufficient oversight, regulation, and enforcement over Texas county jails.
5. Review pretrial service and bonding practices throughout the state. Examine factors considered in bail and pre-trial confinement decisions, including the use of risk assessments; assess the effectiveness and efficiency of different systems in terms of cost to local governments and taxpayers, community safety, pretrial absconding rates and rights of the accused. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence)
6. Study the implications and effects on law enforcement agencies and individuals that stem from the publication, republication, or other dissemination for public internet access of mug shots and other criminal history information regarding involvement of an individual in the criminal justice system.
7. Study statutorily mandated services provided by sheriffs and constables, and determine whether fee schedules allow cost recovery without placing undue burdens on recipients of those services.
8. Study the effect of Proposition 5 (SJR 17 (84R)) on the quality of private roadways in counties with a population of less than 7,500. Make recommendations to ensure the amendment does not result in undue competition between counties and private industry, and whether additional counties could benefit from a similar authorization.
9. Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 84th Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
Supporting documents
Committee: House County Affairs
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, July 30, 2015 (Jail standards, procedures with regards to potentially mentally ill persons in county jails, and interactions between the public and peace officers)
Library Call Number:
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View document [97 pages  File size: 9,387 kb]
Committee: House County Affairs
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, September 15, 2015 (Jail standards and coordination among entities)
Library Call Number:
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View document [37 pages  File size: 3,753 kb]
Committee: House County Affairs
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, November 18, 2015 (Department of Public Safety racial coding, Jail standards, Screening forms and instructions for suicide and medical/mental/developmental impairments)
Library Call Number:
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View document [114 pages  File size: 7,718 kb]
Committee: House County Affairs
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, September 20, 2016 (Department of Public Safety racial disparities; Waller County Sheriff's Office, Recommended police and jail practices)
Library Call Number:
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View document [74 pages  File size: 11,569 kb]
Committee: House County Affairs
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, November 16, 2016 (Department of Public Safety and criminal justice reform, Child Protective Services)
Library Call Number:
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View document [276 pages  File size: 31,098 kb]
Committee: Senate Criminal Justice
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report to the 81st Legislature
Subjects: Capital murder trials | Child abuse | Correctional officers | Criminal justice | Criminal Justice, Texas Department of | Deferred adjudication | Drug trafficking | Homicide | Juvenile justice system | Mental health services | Mentally ill inmates | Methamphetamine | Occupational licenses | Ombudsmen | Pardons and Paroles, Texas Board of | Penalties and sentences (Criminal justice) | Police officers | Prison population | Prison security | Prisoner re-entry | Privately-operated prisons | Pseudoephedrine | Recidivism | Searches and seizures | Sex offenders | Substance abuse | Texas Code of Criminal Procedure | Theft | Youth Commission, Texas | Youthful offenders |
Library Call Number: L1836.80 C868
Session: 80th R.S. (2007)
Online version: View report [113 pages  File size: 13,967 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Determine how private prisons are complying with state laws and how cost, safety, living conditions and rehabilitative services at private prisons compare with state-run facilities. Include an assessment of the staff turnover rates and compensation of private contractors when compared with state-operated facilities, and of the contract bidding processes used by the Texas Youth Commission and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
2. Monitor the implementation of SB 103, 80th R.S., and the continuing reforms to the Texas Youth Commission and the juvenile criminal justice system. Identify barriers to effective implementation and provide recommendations to ensure that the goals of this legislation are achieved. Provide recommendations relating to best practices and identify needed additional treatment programs for juvenile sex offenders.
3. Study the impact of laws designed to reduce illegal drug use and make recommendations for reducing access to illegal drugs and for developing best practices for preventative programs, focusing on drugs targeted for the younger population, such as cheese heroin. Assess the impact of limiting access to pseudoephedrine, including the impact restrictions have had on illegal manufacturers' methods for producing methamphetamine.
4. Monitor the implementation of the new and expanded programs provided to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) within the Fiscal Year 2008 and 2009 budget, and identify their impact on the criminal justice populations. Study security issues within TDCJ, including staffing issues, use of lock down procedures, the control and containment of infectious diseases and the introduction and control of contraband within the institutions. Review the use of career ladders for employees of TDCJ and issues surrounding the retention of professional corrections staff. Study the issues of independent oversight of TDCJ, including the use and effectiveness of the TDCJ ombudsman system. Provide recommendations for the reduction or elimination of barriers to an effective corrections system.
5. Study and make recommendations for reducing the number of law enforcement officer deaths in the line of duty. This study should include:
  • an assessment of the types of calls and assignments that put law enforcement officers most at risk;
  • the geographic regions of the state that suffer the most deaths;
  • the agencies experiencing the highest rate of deaths in the line of duty;
  • the time in an officer's career, and the officer's age that he or she is most susceptible to death in the line of duty; and
  • the times of year, month, and day that are most dangerous.
6. Study the issue of criminal asset seizure and the use of seized and forfeiture funds by district attorneys and law enforcement agencies. Review the oversight of these matters by the Texas Attorney General and provide recommendations to improve the dissemination of information concerning these funds. Ensure that these funds have the appropriate accountability and fiscal controls required for public funds.
7. Study the system of deferred adjudication in Texas courts and make recommendations for resolving any problems and reducing the potential for release of dangerous criminals.
8. Study and recommend best practices for reducing re-victimization of child abuse victims associated with delay in resolution of criminal cases. Recommend options for reducing the time lapse between child victimization and criminal hearings.
9. Review the processes for re-entry of criminal offenders into communities. Identify barriers to the successful return to law-abiding behavior, including the absence of employment opportunities created by restriction on obtaining certain state occupational licenses. Provide recommendations for improvements to our current statutes governing this matter.
10. Study whether Articles 36.09 (relating to trying multiple defendants from the same transaction either separately or jointly) and 36.10 (relating to severing defendants that show prejudice from a joint trial) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure provide sufficient safeguards to ensure fair and reliable trial results in capital cases with multiple defendants. Determine whether the articles provide trial judges with sufficient instruction regarding joinder or severance of defendants and, if not, make recommendations to improve procedures.
11. Study the relationship between the public mental health system and the criminal justice and civil courts systems, including the identification and sharing of information regarding mentally ill offenders, including minors, among criminal justice and mental health agencies, the courts, state hospitals, and the Veterans Administration. Study how current confidentiality laws impact the exchange of information among groups described above. Study the sentencing of mentally ill offenders compared to non-mentally ill offenders, including minors, and the affect that has on statewide prison capacity and on the health care provided to mentally ill offenders. (Joint Charge with Senate State Affairs Committee)
12. Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Criminal Justice Committee, 80th R.S., and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, report on the implementation of SB 909, 80th R.S., the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Sunset legislation, including provisions relating to the Board of Pardons and Paroles, and monitor implementation of the new laws relating to copper theft (SB 1154, 80th R.S., HB 1766, 80th R.S., and HB 1767, 80th R.S.).
Supporting documents
Committee: Senate Criminal Justice
Title: Testimony, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education, Officer Line of Duty Death, July 9, 2008
Library Catalog Title: Minutes
Library Call Number: L1803.9 C868 80 2008: JULY 9
Session: 80th R.S. (2007)
Online version: View document [35 pages  File size: 1,497 kb]
Committee: House Law Enforcement
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: House Committee on Law Enforcement, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2006 : a report to the House of Representatives, 80th Texas Legislature
Subjects: Alarm and security systems | DNA databases | Methamphetamine | Missing persons | Peace officer licenses | Peace officers | Police officers | Public Safety, Texas Department of | University of North Texas Health Science Center |
Library Call Number: L1836.79 L41
Session: 79th R.S. (2005)
Online version: View report [42 pages  File size: 6,046 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the adequacy and effectiveness of Department of Public Safety trooper training.
2. Oversee the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of HB 164, 79th R.S., as it relates to the manufacture of methamphetamines, and the distribution and sale of prescription and non-prescription drugs.
3. Research options for stable funding sources for the University of North Texas Mission Persons DNA database.
4. Monitor the implementation of SB 568, 79th R.S., as it relates to law enforcement response to private home alarms.
5. Evaluate the efficacy of designing a law enforcement training program specifically applicable to small or rural police agencies.
6. Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction.
Committee: Senate Criminal Justice
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Senate Criminal Justice Committee interim report to the 79th Legislature.
Subjects: Alternatives to incarceration | Crime Victims' Compensation Fund | Criminal Justice, Texas Department of | Drug courts | Identity theft | Law Enforcement, Texas Commission on | Parole | Parole violations | Police departments | Police officers | Prison population | Privately-operated prisons | Probation | Underage drinking |
Library Call Number: L1836.78 C868
Session: 78th R.S. (2003)
Online version: View report [95 pages  File size: 643 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study identity theft and its effects, and the impact of recent legislation addressing the issue (HB 2138, 78th R.S., SB 473, 78th R.S., and SB 566, 78th R.S.). Make recommendations for enhancing the Texas' ability to implement effective programs to prevent identity theft. Monitor federal legislation regarding identity theft to ensure that state and federal laws are complementary and make recommendations for improvements.
2. Study and identify best practices for probation and community supervision programs including: the Community Justice Assistance Division; local probation management structure; the use of Drug Courts and the courts' impact on recidivism; programs to reduce underage drinking; mental health issues and continuity of care; use of the Community Supervision Tracking System (CSTS) and other data issues related to Criminal Justice information system components; and the implementation of HB 2668, 78th R.S.. Make recommendations for legislative changes to achieve best practices.
3. Study the management efficiency and organizational structure of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, including implementation of recent restructuring by the TDCJ Board, and make recommendations on additional improvements, including possible consolidation of agency functions and other cost saving measures.
4. Study the use and effectiveness of current parole guideline policies and make recommendations for changes to improve the policies. Develop innovative options that improve efficiency and enhance safe and effective correctional policy.
5. Study and make recommendations relating to improving the use of specialized police agencies and officers, specifically, the necessity, accountability, qualifications, and jurisdictions of such police agencies.
6. Review the Crime Victims Compensation Fund (Fund), including state and local competition, use in state agency methods of finance, evaluation of grant programs, possible diversion of funds from crime victims as a result of prior legislation, and whether the Fund meets the objectives of its authorizing legislation.
7. Study the number of foreign citizens serving sentences in Texas prisons, including information relating to prison terms, recidivism, and types of offenses. Make recommendations for reducing the costs of providing prison services for this population, including leveraging of federal immigration funds and possible international agreements to pay home countries to transfer the prisoners to their respective countries to serve the remainder of their terms.
8. Study and make recommendations concerning the cost effectiveness and efficiency of private prisons, including private services performed at state-owned prisons.
Committee: House Public Safety
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: Committee on Public Safety, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 1992 : a report to the House of Representatives, 73rd Texas Legislature.
Subjects: 911 emergency telephone service | At-risk youth | Cellular telephones | Concealed weapons | Gangs | Gun control | Gun laws | Guns | Homeland security | Law enforcement | Law Enforcement, Texas Commission on | Liability | Peace officers | Police officers | Police pursuits | Polygraph Examiners Board, Texas | Private Security Bureau, Texas | Public Safety, Texas Department of | Right to Carry Act | State buildings | Texas State Capitol |
Library Call Number: L1836.72 p96s
Session: 72nd R.S. (1991)
Online version: View report [119 pages  File size: 5,613 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Monitor and oversee legislation enacted during the 72nd regular and Special Called Sessions that was considered by the Committee on Public Safety; Performance Audit Review Recommendations; and any agency-initiated changes.
2. Carry out budget and oversight responsibilities for all agencies, boards, and commissions listed in Rule 3, Section 27. A. Monitor and oversee documentation of salary increases. B. Verify the number and status of outcomes and outputs as identified in the Appropriations Bill (HB 1, 72nd Legislature, 1st Called Session). C. Review agencies' existing performance standards and determine whether new standards are needed.
3. Study the process by which peace officers are commissioned by public, private, and quasi-public entities and to study the conflict of jurisdictional powers and limitations of officers commissioned by entities with limited geographic boundaries.
4. Coordinate with and monitor the Criminal Jurisprudence committee's study on youth crime and gangs.
5. Study the location of the Law Enforcement Management Institute as authorized by Article 415.092, Government Code.
6. Study the feasibility of implementing and funding an emergency network for mobile phone users similar to the 911 available to general phone users.
7. Study the indemnification and civil liability of peace officers involved in incidents or accidents while carrying out in good faith the official duties of their office.
8. Study the current state and federal laws concerning the right to carry weapons by citizens and other non-commissioned peace officers and to study possible policy alternatives surrounding the issue of allowing citizens to legally carry weapons.
9. Study the current organizational status of the Capitol Police Department and study the impact that the Capitol restoration will have on the security of the Capitol.
Committee: House Public Safety
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report of the House Committee on Public Safety, Texas House of Representatives, 70th Legislature.
Subjects: Biometric identification | Databases | Drug enforcement | Drug trafficking | Emergency management | Gun control | Gun laws | Guns | Handguns | Law enforcement | Overtime pay | Peace officers | Police officers | Public Safety, Texas Department of | Right to Carry Act |
Library Call Number: L1836.70 sa17
Session: 70th R.S. (1987)
Online version: View report [159 pages  File size: 5,326 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. To study the extent of overlap and duplication of effort of state, local, and federal narcotics law enforcement personnel.
2. To study the impact and benefits of new technological advances in the field of law enforcement, including, but not limited to automated finger print retrieval systems, and automated traffic tickets and stolen vehicle checks.
3. To study and compare commissioned law enforcement officers' salaries with cities, other states, and other state employees.
4. Study various gun licensing or permitting laws to carry firearms among the states.
5. To study procedures and emergency management that would be required in the event of a national emergency, including attack, terrorism, or other disruptions of essential governmental activity.
Committee: House Urban Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report of the Committee on Urban Affairs, Texas House of Representatives, 69th Legislature : to the speaker and members of the Texas House of Representatives, 70th Legislature.
Subjects: Affordable housing | Firefighters | Housing Agency, Texas | Municipal government | Municipalities | Police officers | Statutory revision |
Library Call Number: L1836.69 ur1
Session: 69th R.S. (1985)
Online version: View report [27 pages  File size: 802 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. To study firemen's and policemen's civil service in cities.
2. To review the legislation and mission of the Texas Housing Agency and determine if appropriate housing projects are being approved to meet the needs of low-income Texans.
3. To study methods to encourage greater efficiency in the management of general-law cities.
Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: To the speaker and members of the Texas House of Representatives, 68th Legislature : report of the / Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs, Texas House of Representatives, 67th Legislature.
Subjects: Border economy | County budgets | County government | Federal government | Firefighters | International trade | Maquiladoras | Police officers | State employees | State Property Tax Board | Tax Assessor Examiners, Board of |
Library Call Number: L1836.67 in8
Session: 67th R.S. (1981)
Online version: View report [107 pages  File size: 2,913 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Oversight functions shall be conducted for all appropriations-related actions of those agencies assigned to this committee for appropriative purposes during the 67th Regular Session of the Legislature. In addition, a study should be made of the impact of any federal cuts, and the differences in the operational aspect of the agencies under block vs. categorical grants. Close scrutiny should be given to each agency to ascertain if legislative intent is being carried out in the rules promulgated by the agency and if the rules are feasible and practical in their application. These agencies include: Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations Tax Assessor Examiners State Property Tax Board
2. Examine the concepts and practices of the "twin cities" programs along the border with Mexico to determine the benefit and impact of such programs.
3. Examine the creation and operation of foreign trade zones, their functions, and their effects upon the community. Determine whether their roles should be expanded, and if so, in what manner.
4. Determine the role the state should seek in the "new" systems of Intergovernmental Relations with concentration on block grants, pass throughs, the decline of federal influence and money, and impacts upon local governments.
5. Investigate the current status of civil service in Texas and its impact on public employees.
6. Study the role of county government, its importance, and its financial problems; consider a possible recodification of state laws relating to counties.
Committee: Senate Jurisprudence
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report to the Senate of the 66th Legislature of Texas on Interim Studies / by the Jurisprudence Committee of the Texas Senate.
Subjects: Alternatives to incarceration | Courts | Damage awards | Halfway houses | Liability | Peace officers | Police misconduct | Police officers | Railroad crossings |
Library Call Number: L1836.65 j979r
Session: 65th R.S. (1977)
Online version: View report [122 pages  File size: 4,327 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the advisability of establishing community-based programs and facilities in this state as an additional alternative to incarceration in the state prison.
2. Study, assess, and evaluate the dangers posed by railroad grade crossings.
3. Conduct a study of product safety and liability problems in the State of Texas.
4. Study the court administration in Texas. Recommend ways to make the court system more efficient and effective. *
5. Study the adequacy of current laws to prevent the abuse of power by peace officers. *
Supporting documents
Committee: Senate Jurisprudence
Title: Miscellaneous Bills in Committee
Library Catalog Title: Minutes
Library Call Number: L1803.9 J979 65
Session: 65th R.S. (1977)
Online version: View document [8 pages]
Committee: House State Affairs Subcommittee on Law Enforcement Education, Training and Standards
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report to the Texas Legislature / from the House State Affairs Committee on Law Enforcement Education, Training and Standards.
Subjects: Law enforcement | Law Enforcement, Texas Commission on | Police officers |
Library Call Number: L1836.63 L41
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View report [53 pages  File size: 1,675 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Maintain liaison with the Department of Public Safety, the Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education and any other federal, state, or local agency having jurisdiction over the training of law enforcement officers.

* This represents an abstract of the report contents. Charge text is incomplete or unavailable.

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