Bill: SB 12, 85(R) - 2017
Committee
Senate Criminal Justice
2nd Chamber Committee
House Homeland Security & Public Safety
Vote Recommendation
| Vote Recommendation |
Economic Freedom |
Property Rights |
Personal Responsibility |
Limited Government |
Individual Liberty |
| No |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Negative |
Neutral |
Author(s)
Royce West
Sponsor(s)
Phil King
Bill Caption
Relating to the creation of a grant program to assist law
enforcement agencies with the purchase of bulletproof vests and
body armor.
Fiscal Notes
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB12, As Engrossed:
a negative impact of ($25,000,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2019.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of
funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
Bill Analysis
This bill would require the criminal justice division within the Governor's office to establish and administer a grant program for law enforcement agencies seeking to equip their peace officers with bulletproof vests. SB 12 also specifies that the vests must meet specific classifications by the National Institute of Justice, including being able to stop rifle ammunition. The bill would establish guidelines for reporting by local agencies after they receive and spend the grant. The criminal justice division then submits a report to the Legislative Budget Board detailing which agencies received the grant, how much they received, and how many vests were purchased.
Vote Recommendation Notes
Ensuring the safety of peace officers is within the proper role of government, however the issue at hand is which level of government is responsible for it. Local municipalities are responsible for the hiring, discipline, training, and equipping of their own officers. They should be budgeting appropriately to fund these critical functions of local government and not relying on the state to create a new government program to meet these needs. As a principle of the limited and proper role of each level of government, we oppose SB 12.
Organizations Supporting
Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops
Texas Municipal League
Texas Municipal Police Association
