HB4948 - Relating to the establishment of a law enforcement academy in Eagle Pass.

  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.