TITLE 37.PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS

Part 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Chapter 4. COMMERCIAL VEHICLE REGULATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES

Subchapter A. REGULATIONS GOVERNING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

37 TAC §4.1

The Texas Department of Public Safety proposes amendments to Chapter 4, Subchapter A, §4.1, concerning Regulations Governing Hazardous Materials.

Amendment to §4.1 is necessary in order to ensure that the Federal Hazardous Material Regulations, incorporated by reference in the section, reflect all amendments and interpretations issued through July 1, 2006.

Oscar Ybarra, Chief of Finance, has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government, or local economies.

Mr. Ybarra also has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be to ensure to the public greater compliance by motor carriers with all of the statutes and regulations pertaining to the safe operation of commercial vehicles in this state. There is no adverse economic impact anticipated for individuals, small businesses, or micro-businesses.

The Texas Department of Public Safety, in accordance with the Administrative Procedures and Texas Register Act, Texas Government Code, §§2001 et seq ., and Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 644, will hold a public hearing on August 8, 2006, at 9:00 a.m, at the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Highway Patrol Division, Building G Annex, 5805 North Lamar, Austin, Texas. The purpose of this hearing is to receive comments from all interested persons regarding adoption of the proposed amendments to Administrative Rule §4.1 regarding Hazardous Material and Transportation Safety, proposed for adoption under the authority of Texas Government Code, §411.018, and Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 644, which provides that the director shall, after notice and a public hearing, adopt rules regulating the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles.

Persons interested in attending this hearing are encouraged to submit advance written notice of their intent to attend the hearing and to submit a written copy of their comments. Correspondence should be addressed to Major Mark Rogers, Texas Highway Patrol Division, Texas Department of Public Safety, P.O. Box 4087, Austin, Texas 78773-0500.

Persons with special needs or disabilities who plan to attend this hearing and who may need auxiliary aids or services are requested to contact Major Rogers at (512) 424-2116 at least three working days prior to the hearing so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Other comments on this proposal may be submitted to Mark Rogers, Major, Texas Highway Patrol Division, Texas Department of Public Safety, P.O. Box 4087, Austin, Texas 78773-0500, (512) 424-2116.

The amendments are proposed pursuant to Texas Government Code, §411.018, which authorizes the director to adopt all or part of the federal hazardous materials rules by reference; and Texas Transportation Code, §644.051, which authorizes the director to adopt all or part of the federal safety regulations by reference.

Texas Government Code, §411.018 and Texas Transportation Code, §644.051 are affected by this proposal.

§4.1.Transportation of Hazardous Materials.

(a) The director of the Texas Department of Public Safety incorporates, by reference, the Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 107 (Subpart G), 171 - 173, 177, 178, and 180, including all interpretations thereto, for commercial vehicles operated in intrastate, interstate, or foreign commerce, as amended through July [ February ] 1, 2006. All other references in this section to the Code of Federal Regulations also refer to amendments and interpretations issued through July [ February ] 1, 2006.

(b) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 14, 2006.

TRD-200603743

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Earliest possible date of adoption: August 27, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 424-2135


Subchapter B. REGULATIONS GOVERNING TRANSPORTATION SAFETY

37 TAC §§4.11 - 4.14, 4.19, 4.21

The Texas Department of Public Safety proposes amendments to Chapter 4, Subchapter B, §§4.11 - 4.14, 4.19 and 4.21, concerning Regulations Governing Transportation Safety.

The amendment to §4.11 is necessary in order to update the rule so that it reflects July 1, 2006 in subsection (a). The amendment is necessary to ensure that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, incorporated by reference in the section, reflect all amendments and interpretations issued through that particular date.

The amendment to §4.12 is necessary in order to clarify when the medical standards exemption is applicable to drivers transporting hazardous materials in intrastate commerce. Additional amendments are being made to §4.12 to correct inaccuracies in citing certain parts of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Amendments to §4.13 are necessary in order to clarify the certification requirements for inspections conducted on vehicles transporting hazardous materials in Other Bulk Packaging.

Amendment to §4.14 is necessary in order to clarify that municipal and county agencies that are certified to enforce the federal safety regulations must respond in a timely manner to all challenges of the accuracy of data shown on a inspection.

Amendments to §4.19 and §4.21 are necessary in order to correct typographical errors within the sections.

Oscar Ybarra, Chief of Finance, has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the rules are in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government, or local economies.

Mr. Ybarra also has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the rules are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rules will be to ensure to the public greater compliance by motor carriers with all of the statutes and regulations pertaining to the safe operation of commercial vehicles in this state. There is no adverse economic impact anticipated for individuals, small businesses, or micro-businesses.

The Texas Department of Public Safety, in accordance with the Administrative Procedures and Texas Register Act, Texas Government Code, §§2001 et seq ., and Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 644, will hold a public hearing on August 8, 2006, at 9:00 a.m, at the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Highway Patrol Division, Building G Annex, 5805 North Lamar, Austin, Texas. The purpose of this hearing is to receive comments from all interested persons regarding adoption of the proposed amendments to Administrative Rules §§4.11 - 4.14, 4.19 and 4.21 regarding Hazardous Material and Transportation Safety, proposed for adoption under the authority of Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 644, which provides that the director shall, after notice and a public hearing, adopt rules regulating the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles.

Persons interested in attending this hearing are encouraged to submit advance written notice of their intent to attend the hearing and to submit a written copy of their comments. Correspondence should be addressed to Major Mark Rogers, Texas Highway Patrol Division, Texas Department of Public Safety, P.O. Box 4087, Austin, Texas 78773-0500.

Persons with special needs or disabilities who plan to attend this hearing and who may need auxiliary aids or services are requested to contact Major Rogers at (512) 424-2116 at least three working days prior to the hearing so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Other comments on this proposal may be submitted to Mark Rogers, Major, Texas Highway Patrol Division, Texas Department of Public Safety, P.O. Box 4087, Austin, Texas 78773-0500, (512) 424-2116.

The amendments are proposed pursuant to Texas Transportation Code, §644.051, which authorizes the director to adopt rules regulating the safe transportation of hazardous materials and the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles; and authorizes the director to adopt all or part of the federal safety regulations, by reference.

Texas Transportation Code, §644.051 is affected by this proposal.

§4.11.General Applicability and Definitions.

(a) General. The director of the Texas Department of Public Safety incorporates, by reference, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 40, 380, 382, 385, 386, 387, 390 - 393, and 395 - 397 including all interpretations thereto, as amended through July [ February ] 1, 2006. All other references in this subchapter to the Code of Federal Regulations also refer to amendments and interpretations issued through July [ February ] 1, 2006. The rules adopted herein are to ensure that:

(1) - (4) (No change.)

(b) - (c) (No change.)

§4.12.Exemptions and Exceptions.

(a) Exemptions. Exemptions to the adoptions in §4.11 of this title (relating to General Applicability and Definitions) are made pursuant to Texas Transportation Code, §§644.052 - 644.054, and are adopted as follows:

(1) - (2) (No change.)

(3) Drivers in intrastate commerce who are not transporting placardable hazardous materials and were regularly employed in Texas as commercial vehicle drivers prior to August 28, 1989, are not required to meet the medical standards contained in the federal regulations.

(A) - (B) (No change.)

(4) - (7) (No change.)

(b) (No change.)

§4.13.Authority to Enforce, Training and Certificate Requirements.

(a) (No change.)

(b) Training and Certification Requirements.

(1) - (3) (No change.)

(4) Other Bulk Packaging. Certain peace officers from the municipalities and counties specified in subsection (a) of this section and eligible to enforce the Other Bulk Packaging requirements must:

(A) - (B) (No change.)

(C) successfully complete the Cargo Tank Inspection Course;

(D) [ (C) ] successfully complete the Other Bulk Packaging Course; and

(E) [ (D) ] participate in an on-the-job training program following this course with a certified officer and perform a minimum of 16 level I inspections on vehicles containing hazardous materials in other bulk packaging. These inspections should be completed as soon as practicable, but no later than six months after course completion.

(5) - (7) (No change.)

(c) (No change.)

§4.14.Municipal and County Certification Requirements.

(a) Certain peace officers from an authorized municipality or county may be trained and certified to enforce the federal safety regulations provided the municipality or county:

(1) - (5) (No change.)

(6) provides all roadside inspection data to the department through electronic systems that are compatible with the department's system within 15 business days of the inspection, and forwards paper copies immediately thereafter; [ and ]

(7) agrees to forward crash reports involving commercial motor vehicles to the department no later than 30 days after the date of completion of the crash investigation ; and [ . ]

(8) agrees to investigate and determine whether a correction to the data needs to be made when that data is challenged; to notify the motor carrier and the department in writing of the results of the investigation within 10 working days; and then to make any needed corrections and forward the corrected reports to the department immediately.

(b) - (e) (No change.)

§4.19.Administrative Action by the Texas Department of Transportation.

(a) (No change.)

(b) This determination may be based upon the following:

(1) (No change.)

(2) multiple violations of Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 644, a rule adopted under Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 644, or Texas Transportation Code, Subtitle C (Relating to Rules of the Road ); [ , ] and/or

(3) (No change.)

(c) - (d) (No change.)

§4.21.Reports of Valid Positive Results on Alcohol and Drug Tests.

(a) Reporting Requirement. An employer required under the federal safety regulations to conduct alcohol and controlled substance testing of employees shall report to the department a valid positive result on an alcohol or controlled substance test performed as part of the carrier's alcohol and drug testing program or consortium, as defined by Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 382, on an employee of the carrier who holds a commercial driver license issued under Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 522.

(1) (No change.)

(2) The report must be submitted on a form prescribed by the department that is available at the following Internet web site address: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/forms. All information requested on the form must be completed. The completed form must be mailed to MCCA Section Supervisor, Motor Carrier Bureau, Texas Department of Public Safety, 6200 Guadalupe, MSC# 0522, Austin, Texas 78752-4019, or sent by facsimile to (512) 424-5310. Unless the report is for a refusal to submit a sample, employers must also attach a legible copy of either the Federal Drug Testing, Custody and Control Form (with at least steps one through six completed), the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Alcohol Testing Form (with at least steps one through three completed), or the Medical Review Officer's or Breath Alcohol Technician's report of a positive, diluted, adulterated, or substituted alcohol or drug test .

(3) - (5) (No change.)

(b) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 14, 2006.

TRD-200603744

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Earliest possible date of adoption: August 27, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 424-2135


Part 6. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Chapter 151. GENERAL PROVISIONS

37 TAC §151.51

The Texas Board of Criminal Justice proposes an amendment to Title 37, Part 6, Chapter 151, General Provisions, §151.51, concerning Custodial Officer Certification and Hazardous Duty Pay Eligibility Guidelines.

Charles Marsh, Chief Financial Officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, has determined that for the first five years the rule will be in effect, enforcing or administering the rule will not have foreseeable implications related to costs or revenues for state or local government.

Mr. Marsh has also determined for the first five-year period that there will not be an economic impact on persons required to comply with the rule. There will not be an effect on small or micro businesses. The anticipated public benefit, as a result of enforcing the rule, will be accurately reflect eligibility guidelines for custodial officer certification and hazardous duty pay.

Comments should be directed to Melinda Hoyle Bozarth, General Counsel, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, P.O. Box 13084, Austin, Texas 78711, Melinda.Bozarth@tdcj.state.tx.us. Written comments from the general public should be received within 30 days of the publication of this rule.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Government Code, Chapter 659, Subchapter L and §813.506.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Texas Government Code, §§508.001, 811.001, 815.505, and the General Appropriations Act.

§151.51.Custodial Officer Certification and Hazardous Duty Pay Eligibility Guidelines.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to establish eligibility criteria for authorizing custodial officer certification and hazardous duty pay to employees of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ or [ (hereinafter, ] Agency), under the authority of the Texas Government Code, §508.001, §615.006, Chapter 659, Subchapter L [ D, §§659.062 ], §§ 811.001, 813.506, and 815.505; and the General Appropriations Act. In accordance with these provisions and in keeping with the responsibilities of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice (Board), [ Board, ] this rule relating to custodial officer certification and hazardous duty pay applies effective August 13, 2004.

(b) Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this rule, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) Custodial Officer Certification--Service certification to the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) for those employees whom the Agency has determined are eligible for custodial officer service credit, which provides an additional retirement incentive when such employees have 20 or more years of such service credit.

(2) Custodial Officer Service Credit--Credit in the ERS for service performed by an employee who is in a position that has been classified as a Hazardous Duty Code 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 9 position in accordance with the provisions of this Board Rule.

(3) Direct Offender Contact--Contact with, and in the close proximity to, offenders without the protection of bars, doors, security screens, or similar devices while performing job duties. Such contact normally involves supervision or the potential for supervision of offenders in offender housing areas, educational or recreational facilities, industrial shops, kitchens, laundries, medical areas, agricultural shops or fields, or in any other areas on or away from Agency property.

(4) Offender--For the purpose of custodial officer certification and hazardous duty pay, an inmate confined in [ the ] TDCJ Correctional Institutions Division facilities. [ institutions or an inmate or defendant confined in the TDCJ state jails. ]

(5) Releasee--A person released on parole or to mandatory supervision.

(6) Routine Direct Offender Contact--Direct offender contact that is regularly planned or scheduled while conducting Agency business. Routine direct offender contact does not include travel time, unless the employee is responsible for the transportation and custody of offenders, and does not include casual contact.

(c) Procedures.

(1) Custodial Officer Certification. Employees in the following positions are eligible for custodial officer certification:

(A) Hazardous Duty Code 1 Positions. These positions are classified as Correctional Officer I through Warden II;

(B) Hazardous Duty Code 2 Positions. These positions are all positions assigned to a unit, other than Hazardous Duty Code 1 positions, that have job duties requiring routine direct offender contact. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following: Agriculture Specialist, Maintenance Supervisors, Food Service Managers, Laundry Managers, Commissary Managers[ , ] and Classification Case Managers;

(C) Hazardous Duty Code 3 Positions. These positions are assigned to administrative offices and have job duties requiring routine direct offender contact at least 50 percent of the time. Examples of such positions include, but are not limited to, the following: Investigators, Compliance Monitors, Accountants routinely required to audit unit operations, Sociologists, Interviewers, and Classification Officers. Requests for positions to be included in this category must be approved by the Deputy Executive Director. Employees in such positions and supervisors of such employees shall complete and submit a Hazardous Duty Log in accordance with TDCJ procedures in order to justify custodial officer certification;

(D) Hazardous Duty Code 4 Positions. These positions are administrative positions that routinely respond to emergency situations involving offenders. Examples include: the Executive Director, Deputy Director, Correctional Institutions Division Director, other Division Directors, some Managers (salary group B14 and above), and not more than 25 Administrative Duty Officers. Requests for positions to be included in this category must be approved by the Deputy Executive Director;

(E) Hazardous Duty Code 5 Positions. These positions are filled by employees whose custodial officer certification is "grandfathered" based on the following criteria in accordance with SB 993, 69th Legislature:

(i) The employees were in positions authorized custodial officer certification and hazardous duty pay on August 31, 1985;

(ii) The employees have not changed positions since August 31, 1985; and

(iii) The positions do not meet other current hazardous duty pay criteria.

(F) Hazardous Duty Code 6 Position. Employees in such positions and supervisors of such employees shall complete and submit a Hazardous Duty Log in accordance with TDCJ procedures in order to justify custodial officer certification. These positions are filled by employees whose custodial officer certification is "grandfathered" based on the following criteria in accordance with SB 1231 [ 993 ], 74th [ 69th ] Legislature:

(i) On August 31, 1995, the employees were assigned to a Hazardous Duty Code 3 position; [ administrative offices and had job duties requiring routine direct offender contact at least 50 percent of the time; ] and

(ii) The employees continue to have some routine direct offender contact although it is less than 50 percent routine direct offender contact.

(G) Hazardous Duty Code 7 Positions. These positions are Parole Officers, Parole Case Managers [ Caseworkers ], and other employees of the Parole Division or the Board of Pardons and Paroles whose majority of assigned duties include the assessment of risks and needs, investigation, case management, and supervision of releasees to ensure that releasees are complying with the conditions of parole or mandatory supervision, or who directly supervise or are in a direct line of supervision over these employees.

(H) Hazardous Duty Code 9 Positions. Employees in such positions and supervisors of such employees shall complete and submit an Emergency Response Log in accordance with TDCJ procedures in order to justify custodial officer certification. These positions are filled by employees whose custodial officer certification is "grandfathered" based on the following criteria:

(i) On August 31, 1995 , the employees were assigned to a position authorized custodial officer certification and hazardous duty pay; and

(ii) The employees have been designated as members of an Emergency Response Team that may respond to emergency situations involving offenders.

(2) Hazardous Duty Pay Authorized Positions. In addition to the employees described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, employees in the following positions may receive hazardous duty pay:

(A) employees in positions authorized for custodial officer certification;

(B) employees in Hazardous Duty Code 8 positions. These include employees and officials of the Parole Division or the Board of Pardons and Paroles who do not meet the criteria for Hazardous Duty Code 7, but have routine direct contact with offenders of any penal or correctional institution or with releasees. Examples of such positions include, but are not limited to, the following: Clerks, Administrative Assistants [ Technicians, ] and Laboratory Technicians assigned to Parole Field Offices.

(3) Each month the Agency shall certify to the ERS the names of the employees and any other information determined and prescribed by the ERS as necessary for the crediting of service and financing of benefits under §813.506 of the Texas Government Code.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 13, 2006.

TRD-200603737

Melinda Bozarth

General Counsel

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Earliest possible date of adoption: August 27, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 463-0422


Chapter 163. COMMUNITY JUSTICE ASSISTANCE DIVISION STANDARDS

37 TAC §163.25

The Texas Board of Criminal Justice proposes an amendment to Title 37, Part 6, Chapter 163, Community Justice Assistance Division Standards, §163.25, concerning Community Justice Councils, Tasks, and Plans.

Charles Marsh, Chief Financial Officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, has determined that for the first five years the rule will be in effect, enforcing or administering the rule will not have foreseeable implications related to costs or revenues for state or local government.

Mr. Marsh has also determined for the first five-year period that there will not be an economic impact on persons required to comply with the rule. There will not be an effect on small or micro businesses. The anticipated public benefit, as a result of enforcing the rule, will be to provide the public notice on the specific requirements of community justice councils, task forces, and plans.

Comments should be directed to Melinda Hoyle Bozarth, General Counsel, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, P.O. Box 13084, Austin, Texas 78711, Melinda.Bozarth@tdcj.state.tx.us. Written comments from the general public should be received within 30 days of the publication of this rule.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Government Code, §509.003 and §509.007.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Texas Government Code, §76.002 and §76.003.

§163.25.Community Justice Councils, Task Forces[ , ] and Plans.

(a) Purpose. In order for a jurisdiction to receive any state aid, a community justice council, task force, and the community justice plan shall [ must ] conform to applicable law and Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)-Community Justice Assistance Division (CJAD) [ TDCD-CJAD ] standards and policy.

(b) Council's role. The local community justice council shall provide guidance and direction, in accordance with law, for the development of community justice plans.

(c) Plan development.

(1) The community justice plan shall include:

(A) a statement of goals and priorities and of commitment by the community justice council, the judges who established the department, and the community supervision and corrections department (CSCD) to achieve a targeted level of alternative sanctions; and

(B) a description of methods for measuring the success of programs provided by the CSCD or provided by an entity served by the CSCD.

(2) All community justice plans shall [ must ] be approved by the [ district ] judge(s) who established [ manage ] the CSCD. Unless otherwise specified by the [ district ] judge(s), the CSCD Director [ director ] or designee shall serve as the primary manager of the planning process, coordinating council activities, data collection, plan composition, and plan drafting. The community justice council, after judicial approval, shall submit the plan to the [ TDCJ- ] CJAD Director [ director ].

(d) Community justice plan acceptance and modification.

(1) Final acceptance of a community justice plan, for purposes of state aid eligibility may be conditioned upon review and evaluation by the [ TDCJ- ] CJAD staff. Final acceptance of plans, without conditions, shall [ must ] be received for purposes of [ TDCJ- ]CJAD grant funding.

(2) A plan may be amended through an amendment process as defined by [ TDCJ- ]CJAD.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 13, 2006.

TRD-200603735

Melinda Bozarth

General Counsel

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Earliest possible date of adoption: August 27, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 463-0422