86R12393 JTS-F
By: Geren H.B. No. 2683
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the transfer or sale of a law enforcement dog to a peace
officer, an honorably retired peace officer, or a survivor of a
deceased peace officer.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 614, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter L to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER L. TRANSFER OF LAW ENFORCEMENT DOG TO PEACE OFFICER,
HONORABLY RETIRED PEACE OFFICER, OR SURVIVOR OF DECEASED PEACE
OFFICER
Sec. 614.221. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Governmental entity" means a state agency or a
political subdivision, including a county, municipality, school
district, special district, or joint board created under Section
22.074, Transportation Code.
(2) "Law enforcement dog" means a dog owned by a
governmental entity that is assigned to a peace officer for law
enforcement purposes.
Sec. 614.222. COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROVISIONS INAPPLICABLE.
A transfer authorized under this subchapter is not subject to
competitive bidding, salvage property disposition, or similar
requirements that would otherwise be applicable to the transfer.
Sec. 614.223. TRANSFER OF RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT DOG TO
PEACE OFFICER. At the request of a peace officer who is the handler
of a law enforcement dog that is to be retired from service, the
governmental entity that owns the dog shall transfer ownership of
the dog to the peace officer.
Sec. 614.224. PURCHASE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT DOG BY HONORABLY
RETIRED PEACE OFFICER. On the request of a peace officer who
retires honorably and who has been the handler of a law enforcement
dog, a governmental entity shall allow the peace officer to
purchase the dog.
Sec. 614.225. PURCHASE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT DOG BY SURVIVING
SPOUSE, CHILD, OR PARENT OF DECEASED PEACE OFFICER. (a) For a law
enforcement dog whose handler died while commissioned, the
governmental entity that owns the dog may sell the dog to, in order
of priority:
(1) the surviving spouse of the deceased peace
officer;
(2) a child of the deceased peace officer; and
(3) a parent of the deceased peace officer.
(b) The governmental entity may sell a dog under Subsection
(a) regardless of whether the officer died while discharging the
officer's official duties.
Sec. 614.226. PURCHASE PRICE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT DOG. A
governmental entity shall establish the amount for which a law
enforcement dog may be purchased under this subchapter, which may
not exceed fair market value.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.