HBA-CCH, SEP H.B. 335 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 335
By: West, George "Buddy"
Public Safety
2/20/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

During its sixty 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 DPS's legacy, retired and active DPS employees
created the Texas Department of Public Historical Safety Museum and
Research Center in Austin, Texas in 1994.  House Bill 335 requires the
Public Safety Commission to establish the Texas Department of Public Safety
Museum and Research Center to promote a better understanding of law
enforcement, improve  relations between law enforcement personnel and the
community, and educate the public of DPS's proud history. 

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 establish
the Texas Department of Public Safety Museum and Research Center (center).
The bill requires the Public Safety Commission (commission) to establish
the center designed to educate the public about the Department of Public
Safety's (department) officers and history and to provide an interactive
facility to educate young people about law enforcement procedures.  The
bill requires the public safety director to employ a historian, librarian,
and other personnel to administer the center.  The bill further requires
the department to collect an additional fee of $1 to be used only to fund
the center,  from a person applying for or renewing a driver's license,
personal identification card, commercial driver's license or commercial
driver learner's permit only if the person chooses to pay the additional
fee. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.