Texas House Bill HB480

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to retaining a reserve investigator by a prosecuting attorney.

Impact

The legislative modification introduced in HB 480 enhances the operational capabilities of prosecuting attorneys by providing them with the option to appoint reserve investigators. This extends their ability to manage and support investigations more effectively. Importantly, the bill still allows reserve investigators to pursue other forms of employment, as long as those do not compromise their independence in fulfilling their roles. Such flexibility is intended to attract skilled candidates who can serve part-time while balancing other commitments.

Summary

House Bill 480, relating to retaining a reserve investigator by a prosecuting attorney, amends the Government Code to allow prosecuting attorneys in Texas to employ reserve investigators. This change enables commissioners' courts to authorize prosecuting attorneys to appoint a certain number of reserve investigators, thereby expanding the resources available for law enforcement duties. The bill is a response to the needs of various prosecuting offices and aims to improve the efficiency and operational capacity of these offices by employing additional personnel on a reserve basis.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 480 appears to be positive, with broad support among legislators. The bill received a unanimous approval in the House, demonstrating a bipartisan consensus on its necessity. Stakeholders, especially those within the law enforcement community, regard this legislation as a practical solution to resource challenges faced by prosecuting attorneys, which aligns with broader public safety objectives.

Contention

While the bill has garnered substantial backing, some concerns may arise regarding the independence of reserve investigators and how their other employment might influence their duties as investigators for the prosecuting attorney. However, the legislative emphasis is on maintaining a level of independence and ensuring that the dual roles do not interfere with the integrity of the investigations conducted. As such, the most notable point of contention is likely to revolve around how these reserve appointments are managed and monitored to preserve their effectiveness.