Texas House Bill HB3067

Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

• Filed: 3/1/23
• Out of House Committee: 4/25/23
• Voted on by House: 5/4/23

Caption

Relating to the installation and use of tracking equipment and access to certain communications by certain peace officers.

Impact

If enacted, HB 3067 would formally recognize university and school district resource officers as authorized peace officers under Texas law. This will allow them to obtain necessary search warrants, thereby improving their capability to respond effectively to security threats on campuses. This bill addresses gaps created by earlier legislation regarding the authority of school resource officers, and it is primarily aimed at increasing the security posture on school properties.

Summary

House Bill 3067, introduced by Representative Jones of Dallas, focuses on the installation and use of tracking equipment by authorized peace officers, specifically relating to university and school district resource officers. The legislation serves as a cleanup measure to amend previous laws that may have inadvertently hindered these officers' ability to access critical search warrant data. The bill is significant as it aims to enhance the safety of students by ensuring that resource officers are recognized as authorized police officers under state law.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 3067 appears to be generally supportive, particularly from those who emphasize the importance of campus security. Supporters, including school administrators and law enforcement advocates, argue that the restoration of authority for resource officers is crucial to ensuring a safe educational environment. While specific opposition is not heavily documented in the provided textual snippets, the focus on safety and legislative cleanup indicates a favorable view among lawmakers and stakeholders.

Contention

Notable points of contention largely revolve around the redefinition of the roles and powers of school security personnel. Some may argue about the implications of expanding authority under this legislation, questioning whether it could lead to over-policing in educational settings. The details of the bill's discussion reflect an emphasis on ensuring safety while balancing concerns regarding the authority granted to these peace officers.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Code Of Criminal Procedure

• Chapter 18. Search Warrants
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: New Section

Government Code

• Chapter 493. Texas Department Of Criminal Justice: Organization
  • Section: 019
  • Section: 019
  • Section: 019

• Chapter 402. Attorney General
  • Section: 009
  • Section: 009

Education Code

• Chapter 37. Discipline; Law And Order
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 51. Provisions Generally Applicable To Higher Education
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: New Section