Requesting the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house to create a joint interim committee to study motorcycle operator profiling by law enforcement officers.
Impact
The resolution calls for the formation of a joint interim committee directed by the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house. This committee would conduct a study focused on understanding motorcycle operator profiling and assessing current training requirements for law enforcement personnel. It aims to explore potential enhancements in education and training to create awareness about motorcycle profiling sensitivity. The findings of the committee are expected to contribute to legislative discussions in future sessions of the Texas legislature.
Summary
HCR73 is a concurrent resolution put forth by Representative Hunter, which seeks to address the growing concern of motorcycle profiling by law enforcement officers in Texas. As the number of registered motorcycles increases, many motorcyclists have raised alarms about being unjustly stopped and questioned due to their apparel or the fact that they are motorcyclists. The resolution highlights issues faced by individuals who are inaccurately identified as gang members, particularly referencing how the TXGANG database has contributed to these profiling incidents.
Contention
A notable point of contention surrounding HCR73 pertains to the implementation of effective training programs for law enforcement officers. The resolution suggests that similar legislative measures in other states—such as a law passed in Washington that led to a significant reduction in motorcycle profiling—could serve as a model for Texas. However, discussions may arise regarding the complexities of modifying training requirements and the perceived necessity for such changes, as law enforcement agencies weigh their existing protocols against new proposed standards.