88R13199 BHH-D
By: Hunter H.C.R. No. 62
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Across Texas, the number of registered motorcycles
is growing at a rapid rate, and numerous motorcyclists have
expressed concerns regarding motorcycle profiling by law
enforcement officers; and
WHEREAS, Motorcycle profiling is the illegal use of a
person's motorcycle-related apparel or status as a motorcycle
operator as a factor in deciding to stop and question, take
enforcement action toward, arrest, or search a person or vehicle;
and
WHEREAS, Some Texans in motorcycle clubs have been unjustly
stopped and arrested due to being inaccurately identified as gang
members in the TXGANG database, and this has recently prompted
several courts to raise questions about how police use the law
enforcement tool; and
WHEREAS, According to a 2022 U.S. House of Representatives
resolution, reported incidents of motorcycle profiling in the State
of Washington dropped approximately 90 percent since the passing of
a state law to ensure that issues related to motorcycle profiling
are included in law enforcement training; and
WHEREAS, Unlawful motorcycle profiling is a serious issue in
Texas and beyond, and every means of preventing it should be
explored; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby request that the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the
House of Representatives create a joint interim committee to study
motorcycle operator profiling by law enforcement officers; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That the study must consider:
(1) the effectiveness of current education and
training requirements for law enforcement officers regarding
motorcycle operator profiling awareness and sensitivity;
(2) potential improvements to education and training
requirements regarding motorcycle operator profiling awareness and
sensitivity that may be implemented by state and local law
enforcement agencies; and
(3) any other methods to decrease motorcycle operator
profiling by law enforcement officers; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a full report, including findings and
recommendations, be submitted to the 89th Texas Legislature before
it convenes in January 2025.