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.