BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3248 89R13135 MCF-F By: Cortez et al. (Flores) Criminal Justice 5/2/2025 Engrossed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT The Port Authority of San Antonio (port) is a Defense Base Development Authority located in San Antonio on the former site of Kelly Air Force Base. Anchored by the 16th Air Force (Air Forces Cyber), the port campus has grown into a defense industrial base innovation park with high-value, sensitive defense assets, serving as headquarters for U.S. Air Force cyber operations. Given the critical nature of the assets and work performed on the campus, the port needs the authority to employ and commission district peace officers as a professional security force trained in situations unique to the enhanced needs of the critical defense assets located on the campus. H.B. 3248 provides that authority and will allow the port to provide a safer and more secure environment for defense and commercial customers, and visitors. H.B. 3248 amends Chapter 379B, putting defense base development authorities on par with other port authorities, school districts, university systems, and other special districts that have the authority to commission peace officers (See, e.g., Education Code, Sections 37.081 and 51.203; Special District Local Laws Code, Chapter 10240). Peace officers would be funded at Port San Antonio's expense, with no fiscal impact to the State. The bill establishes that the jurisdiction of a peace officer commissioned as such includes the property owned or controlled by the Defense Base Development Authority. H.B. 3248 amends current law relating to the authority of a defense base development authority to employ and commission peace officers. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 379B, Local Government Code, by adding Section 379B.0046, as follows; Sec. 379B.0046. EMPLOYMENT OF AUTHORITY PEACE OFFICERS. (a) Authorizes the board of directors of defense base authority to employ and commission peace officers for the authority to prevent or abate the commission of offenses relating to port functions, facilities, and operations under state or local law. (b) Provides that the jurisdiction of a peace officer commissioned under this section includes the property owned or controlled by the authority. (c) Provides that, in a peace officer's jurisdiction, the peace officer has the authority granted by Chapter 14 (Arrest Without Warrant), Code of Criminal Procedure. SECTION 2. Amends Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, as follows: Art. 2A.001. PEACE OFFICERS GENERALLY. Provides that certain persons are peace officers, including an officer commissioned by the board of directors of a defense base development authority established under Chapter 379B (Defense Base Development Authorities). Makes a nonsubstantive change. SECTION 3. Provides that, to the extent of any conflict, this Act prevails over another Act of the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in enacted codes. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 3248
89R13135 MCF-F By: Cortez et al. (Flores)
Criminal Justice
5/2/2025
Engrossed
Senate Research Center
H.B. 3248
89R13135 MCF-F
By: Cortez et al. (Flores)
Criminal Justice
5/2/2025
Engrossed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Port Authority of San Antonio (port) is a Defense Base Development Authority located in San Antonio on the former site of Kelly Air Force Base. Anchored by the 16th Air Force (Air Forces Cyber), the port campus has grown into a defense industrial base innovation park with high-value, sensitive defense assets, serving as headquarters for U.S. Air Force cyber operations. Given the critical nature of the assets and work performed on the campus, the port needs the authority to employ and commission district peace officers as a professional security force trained in situations unique to the enhanced needs of the critical defense assets located on the campus. H.B. 3248 provides that authority and will allow the port to provide a safer and more secure environment for defense and commercial customers, and visitors.
H.B. 3248 amends Chapter 379B, putting defense base development authorities on par with other port authorities, school districts, university systems, and other special districts that have the authority to commission peace officers (See, e.g., Education Code, Sections 37.081 and 51.203; Special District Local Laws Code, Chapter 10240). Peace officers would be funded at Port San Antonio's expense, with no fiscal impact to the State. The bill establishes that the jurisdiction of a peace officer commissioned as such includes the property owned or controlled by the Defense Base Development Authority.
H.B. 3248 amends current law relating to the authority of a defense base development authority to employ and commission peace officers.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 379B, Local Government Code, by adding Section 379B.0046, as follows;
Sec. 379B.0046. EMPLOYMENT OF AUTHORITY PEACE OFFICERS. (a) Authorizes the board of directors of defense base authority to employ and commission peace officers for the authority to prevent or abate the commission of offenses relating to port functions, facilities, and operations under state or local law.
(b) Provides that the jurisdiction of a peace officer commissioned under this section includes the property owned or controlled by the authority.
(c) Provides that, in a peace officer's jurisdiction, the peace officer has the authority granted by Chapter 14 (Arrest Without Warrant), Code of Criminal Procedure.
SECTION 2. Amends Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, as follows:
Art. 2A.001. PEACE OFFICERS GENERALLY. Provides that certain persons are peace officers, including an officer commissioned by the board of directors of a defense base development authority established under Chapter 379B (Defense Base Development Authorities). Makes a nonsubstantive change.
SECTION 3. Provides that, to the extent of any conflict, this Act prevails over another Act of the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in enacted codes.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2025.