Legislative Alert: Bad Bills on House Floor

Two very bad bills have been scheduled for a vote in the Texas House on Thursday, May 4, 2023. 

This is a call to action. Information on the bills can be found below.

We urge you to call your state representative and ask them to OPPOSE these bills.

You can find out who your state representative is and find their Capitol phone number by going here:

https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home

After you search, click on the name of your state representative (not congressman), and you will get their Capitol phone number.

HB 30 by Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso)

This bill amends the Texas Open Records Act and the Personnel File section of the Municipal Civil Service Statute to allow access to information on “alleged misconduct” by peace officers.  The author describes this bill as a way to give families of people killed by law enforcement or who die in custody to gain closure by knowing what happened. But in reality, this bill will allow activists, news media, and others to search for negative information on officers and then use that information to smear those officers on social media and in the news.  It is a discovery bill that will only facilitate more attacks on our profession.

Read House Bill 30 here:
https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/html/HB00030H.htm

HB 4966 by Rep. Ken King (R-Hemphill)

This bill will repeal the ability to appeal or dispute a department separation report, also known as the F5.  Currently, officers can appeal those reports to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH).  In small “at will” departments, these appeals are the only form of due process officers have to clear their name after a termination. There are a number of bills that have attempted to modify separation reports and eliminate appeals, including the TCOLE Sunset Bill. We have opposed any changes to due process and are fighting to keep that intact. This bill is coming to the floor for a vote without any of our proposed amendments. 

Read House Bill 4966 here:
https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/html/HB04966H.htm

Please call your state representative on these bills.  Tell them you live in the district and that you are a law enforcement officer. Tell them about each bill and that the House is supposed to vote on them on Thursday, May 4.  

Ask them to record your opposition and ask your state representative to vote against the bill.

Let us know if you have any questions.