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

HB 2346 would allow a commissioned law officer of a Federal Reserve bank to have the powers of arrest, search, and seizure to any felony or misdemeanor offense committed under the law of this state when on the premises of the Federal Reserve bank or system or while protecting personnel and operations related to the Federal Reserve bank.

The Federal Reserve is an organization that is not wholly public and not wholly private. It was created by Congress and operates under the authority granted to it by Congress. At the same time it is entirely independent of Congress, and not subject to the full oversight of Congress. Its employees are not government employees. And while the Federal Reserve does have a police force that force has limited authority to enforce federal law in very limited and narrow circumstances. These are also not government employees. 

It is unclear that the semi-private Federal Reserve police force needs any additional authority than what they already have under federal law to perform their duties. The mere fact that there are Federal Reserve banks in Texas does not mean that Federal Reserve police need authority to enforce Texas laws. Because there is no clear need for this legislation we oppose HB 2346.