Texas House Bill HB633

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/20/11
• Introduced: 1/12/11
• Voted on by House: 5/4/11
• Refer: 2/21/11
• Report Pass: 4/18/11
• Engrossed: 5/4/11
• Refer: 5/5/11

Caption

Relating to certain nonrefundable application fees established by the Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education.

Impact

The implementation of HB 633 is intended to streamline the application process for individuals seeking to establish their credentials in law enforcement. By regulating the fees, the bill aims to ensure that the costs associated with applying are fair and justified, which could encourage more applicants to pursue careers in law enforcement. The possibility of refunding fees also eases the financial burden on applicants who may have submitted fees erroneously, thereby potentially increasing the number of applicants successfully navigating the licensing process.

Summary

House Bill 633 pertains to the establishment of nonrefundable application fees by the Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. The bill amends Section 1701.154 of the Occupations Code to empower the commission to set reasonable and necessary fees for the administration of relevant laws. Notably, the bill allows for the possibility of refunding an application fee that is otherwise nonrefundable, under certain circumstances such as the commission determining the application was submitted by mistake. This change reflects an effort to provide leniency and address potential administrative errors.

Contention

While the bill generally garners support for its effort to refine the application fee structure, concerns have been raised regarding the implications of setting nonrefundable fees. Critics suggest that such fees could disproportionately affect those with financial constraints and deter them from pursuing law enforcement careers. The framework for refunding nonrefundable fees may also lead to varying interpretations and implementations, prompting discussions about best practices for administration and equitable access to law enforcement careers.