By: Williams S.B. No. 1697 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to duties and restrictions regarding the special Texas Rangers. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 411.023, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (g) to read as follows: (b) A special ranger is subject to the orders of the commission and the governor for special duty to the same extent as other law enforcement officers provided for by this chapter, except that a special ranger may not enforce a law [except one designed to protect life and property and may not enforce a law] regulating the use of a state highway by a motor vehicle. A special ranger is not connected with a ranger company or uniformed unit of the department. (g) The director may call special rangers into service to: (1) preserve the peace and protect life and property; (2) conduct background investigations; (3) monitor sex offenders; (4) serve as part of two-officer units on patrol in high threat areas; and (5) provide assistance to the department during disasters. SECTION 2. Section 411.024, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (g) to read as follows: (b) A special Texas Ranger is subject to the orders of the commission and the governor for special duty to the same extent as other law enforcement officers provided for by this chapter, except that a special Texas Ranger may not enforce a law [except one designed to protect life and property and may not enforce a law] regulating the use of a state highway by a motor vehicle. A special Texas Ranger is not connected with a ranger company or uniformed unit of the department. (g) The director may call special Texas Rangers into service to: (1) preserve the peace and protect life and property; (2) conduct background investigations; (3) monitor sex offenders; (4) serve as part of two-officer units on patrol in high threat areas; and (5) provide assistance to the department during disasters. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.