House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety - 85th R.S. (2017)
Committee Members
Charges
- Evaluate the response of the Texas Department of Public Safety's (DPS) response to Hurricane Harvey. Review the actions of the Texas Division of Emergency Management and the state's natural disaster preparedness planning efforts to determine their effectiveness at addressing Harvey-related issues. Study coordination between municipalities, counties, and state agencies and how emergency response activities are organized and coordinated at the city, county, and regional level.
- Review and evaluate the impact of DPS operations near the Texas-Mexico border on organized crime. Review organized crime convictions, including human trafficking convictions, collaboration with federal authorities, collaboration with federal and local prosecutors, and other relevant crime statistics and research related to organized crime intervention.
- Study aggressive driving in Texas and review the causes and current mitigation efforts. Make recommendations for legislative action.
- Monitor the implementation of gun legislation passed by the 85th Legislature.
- Evaluate opportunities for DPS to expedite the driver license renewal process.
- Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 85th Legislature.
- Evaluate options to increase the number of school marshals available, and identify current statutory requirements that limit utilization of the program.
- Examine best practices and measures adopted in other states regarding reporting lost or stolen firearms. Gather information on reporting strategies, fines, and/or penalties for noncompliance, and receive testimony from law enforcement related to mishandling of firearms.
- Examine current judicial procedures and practices and make recommendations to assist all courts and jurisdictions in reporting judgments and verdicts which make up the information sent to the National Instant Background Check System (NICS). Review and make recommendations regarding the list of convictions, judgments, and judicial orders which disqualify a person from possessing a firearm.
- Examine the experience of other states in prioritizing retired peace officers and military veterans for school security. Determine the minimum standards necessary to implement such a program.
Notes
Charges relating to the school safety added by the Speaker on June 1, 2018. ("Speaker Straus issues New Committee Charges Related to School Safety," Press Release, June 1, 2018.)
Press release
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