89R10514 AND-D
By: Morales of Maverick H.B. No. 4948
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a law enforcement academy in Eagle
Pass.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter F-1 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER F-1. EAGLE PASS LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY
Sec. 1701.291. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "academy"
means the law enforcement academy established under this
subchapter.
Sec. 1701.292. ESTABLISHMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY.
(a) The commission shall establish and maintain a law enforcement
academy in Eagle Pass.
(b) The academy shall:
(1) provide basic, intermediate, and advanced law
enforcement training under this chapter;
(2) offer courses on topics relevant to:
(A) border security;
(B) rural law enforcement;
(C) community policing; and
(D) mental health response;
(3) collaborate with institutions of higher education
and university systems, as those terms are defined by Section
61.003, Education Code, including Sul Ross State University-Rio
Grande College and the Texas State University System, and local law
enforcement agencies; and
(4) provide continuing education opportunities for
officers and other law enforcement personnel.
Sec. 1701.293. DIRECTOR. (a) The commission shall employ a
director of the academy.
(b) The director shall:
(1) develop the academy's budget and staffing plan;
(2) oversee curriculum development and program
delivery; and
(3) annually report the academy's graduation rates,
training metrics, and employment outcomes to:
(A) the commission; and
(B) the legislature.
Sec. 1701.294. FUNDING. (a) The commission may use any
available funds to establish and maintain the academy, including
from:
(1) legislative appropriations;
(2) state or federal grants;
(3) private donations or partnerships; and
(4) tuition and fees associated with attendance of the
academy.
(b) The commission may apply for and accept state and
federal grants to support the establishment and maintenance of the
academy.
Sec. 1701.295. FACILITIES. The academy's primary facility
must be located in Eagle Pass and include:
(1) classrooms and training labs;
(2) simulation areas for de-escalation, emergency
response, and active shooter drills;
(3) a driving course for vehicle operations training;
and
(4) a firearms training range consistent with state
safety standards.
Sec. 1701.2951. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. Not later than
December 31, 2026, the commission shall submit a written
implementation plan to the legislature. The implementation plan
must include information regarding the process by which the academy
will establish the facilities described by Section 1701.295. This
section expires September 1, 2027.
Sec. 1701.296. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of
each year, the director of the academy shall submit an annual report
to the legislature. The report must include:
(1) data on enrollment, graduation rates, and job
placement for individuals who enroll in the academy;
(2) information on community engagement initiatives;
and
(3) recommendations for improvements to or expansion
of programs offered by the academy.
SECTION 2. Notwithstanding Section 1701.296, Occupations
Code, as added by this Act, the director of the academy is not
required to submit a report under that section before the first
anniversary of the date on which the academy required by Subchapter
F-1, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, as added by this Act, begins
offering training to law enforcement officers.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.