HBA-CMT H.B. 335 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 335
By: West, George "Buddy"
Public Safety
7/10/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

During its 60 years as the leading state law enforcement branch, the
Department of Public Safety (DPS) has served various functions, including
the protection of citizens from crime and the coordination of efforts to
avoid and minimize natural disasters.  Through the support of Texans and
its dedicated employees, DPS has become known nationally and
internationally as a premier law enforcement agency.  In an effort to
document and preserve the legacy of DPS, retired and active DPS employees
created the Texas Department of Public Safety Historical Museum and
Research Center (museum) in Austin, Texas in 1994. House Bill 335
authorizes the Public Safety Commission to enter into a contract with the
museum to use DPS personnel and property to assist the museum. 
 
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

House Bill 335 amends the Government and Transportation codes to provide
support for the Texas Department of Public Safety Historical Museum and
Research Center (museum).  The bill authorizes the Public Safety Commission
(PSC) to establish a support staff in the Department of Public Safety (DPS)
to assist the museum, use DPS property to fulfill the purposes of this
bill, and enter into a contract with the museum.  The bill authorizes the
public safety director (director) to appoint and assign duties to DPS
personnel to serve as paid support staff for the museum, which may consist
of a historian, librarian, and other personnel as needed to administer the
museum.  The bill authorizes the DPS to spend funds to hire support staff.

The bill creates the Department of Public Safety Historical Museum and
Research Center account (account) as a special account outside the state
treasury that is held at the DPS Credit Union, and used by PSC in providing
support for the museum.  The account is composed of gifts, grants, and
donations collected by DPS from any public or private source for the
purposes of providing support for the museum. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.