Bill

HB 473

84(R) - 2015
House Homeland Security & Public Safety
House Homeland Security & Public Safety
County Government
Law Enforcement
Transportation & Infrastructure

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Positive

Author(s)

Helen Giddings

Bill Caption

Relating to a prohibition on the sale or transfer of certain law enforcement vehicles before removal of certain equipment and insignia.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State or units of local government is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 473 would prohibit the sale or transfer of any police vehicle that could mislead a reasonable person that the vehicle is a law enforcement vehicle.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Impersonation of a police officer is a crime that can have serious public safety consequences. If police cars are sold to the public without being fully and properly decommissioned, it would be much easier for a person to put on the appearance of a legitimate officer of the law in order to assert authority not actually vested in that person. This legislation will essentially prevent government agencies from inadvertently helping to facilitate the impersonation of a police officer. This supports our individual liberty principle (for the people who would be harmed by police impersonators) and our limited government principle. We support HB 473. 

Organizations Supporting

City of Fort Worth
Texas Municipal Police Association