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.