TITLE public-safety-and-corrections

Part I. Texas Department of Public Safety

Chapter 13. Controlled Substances and Precursor/Apparatus Rules and Regulations

Subchapter B. Registration

37 TAC §13.21

(Editor's Note: The text of the following section proposed for repeal will not be published. The section may be examined in the offices of the Texas Department of Public Safety or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Texas Department of Public Safety proposes the repeal of §13.21, concerning Expiration Date for the Respective Specialties or Business Activities. The section is proposed for repeal with simultaneous proposal of new §13.21 which changes the title of the section and staggers expiration dates of registrants over an 11-month period to balance the workload of the agency.

Tom Haas, Chief of Finance, has determined that for the first five years the repeal is in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the repeal. There will be no effect on local employment or the local economy.

Mr. Haas also has determined that for each year of the first five years the repeal is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the repeal will be the extension of some registrants' expiration dates during the one year period of transition. There is no anticipated economic cost to individuals who are required to comply with the proposed repeal. There is no anticipated cost to large or small businesses.

Comments on the repeal may be submitted to John C. West, Jr., Chief of Legal Services, Texas Department of Public Safety, Box 4087, Austin, Texas 78773-0001, (512) 424-2890.

The repeal is proposed pursuant to the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 481, Texas Controlled Substances Act, §481.064(a), which states the director may adopt reasonable rules.

The Health and Safety Code, Chapter 481, Texas Controlled Substances Act, §481.064(a) is affected by this proposal.

§13.21. Expiration Date for the Respective Specialties or Business Activities.

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

Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 16, 1996.

TRD-9618404

Dudley M. Thomas

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Earliest possible date of adoption: February 3, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 424-2890


The Texas Department of Public Safety proposes new §13.21, concerning Expiration Date. New §13.21 states that a certificate of registration will expire on the last day of the twelfth month following the month of issuance and may be extended for a period of up to eleven months as determined by the department.

Tom Haas, Chief of Finance, has determined that for the first five year period the rule is in effect there will be fiscal implications to state government. Fiscal impact to state government as a result of a one-time special mailing to approximately 50,000 registrants will be $13,710.00. There will be no fiscal implications for local government.

Mr. Haas also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be the extension of some registrants' expiration dates during the one-year period of transition. There is no anticipated cost to persons who are required to comply with the section as proposed. There are no anticipated economic costs to small or large businesses.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to John C. West, Jr., Chief of Legal Services, Texas Department of Public Safety, Box 4087, Austin, Texas 78773-0001, (512) 424-2890.

The new section is proposed pursuant to the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 481, Texas Controlled Substances Act, §481.064(a) which states the director may adopt reasonable rules.

The Health and Safety Code, Chapter 481, Texas Controlled Substances Act, §481.064(a) is affected by this proposal.

§13.21. Expiration Date.

(a)

Except as provided by subsection (b) of this section, a certificate of registration shall expire on the last day of the twelfth month following the month of issuance indicated on the certificate.

(b)

A certificate of registration issued by the department may be extended for a period of up to eleven months if the department determines the extension is necessary to evenly allocate expiration dates.

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

Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 16, 1996.

TRD-9618403

Dudley M. Thomas

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Earliest possible date of adoption: February 3, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 424-2890


Subchapter F. Triplicate Prescriptions

37 TAC §13.106

The Texas Department of Public Safety proposes an amendment to §13.106, concerning exceptions to use of triplicate prescription forms. The amendment adds new subsection (d) which exempts therapeutic optometrists, who possess and administer cocaine eye drops, from having to issue triplicate prescription forms as required under the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 481, Texas Controlled Substances Act, §481.075, Triplicate Prescription Program.

Tom Haas, 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 as a result of enforcing or administering the rule. There will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rule.

Mr. Haas also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be less government regulation of therapeutic optometrists' possession and administering cocaine eye drops for diagnostic purposes. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the section as proposed. There are no anticipated economic costs to small or large businesses.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to John C. West, Jr., Chief of Legal Services, Texas Department of Public Safety, Box 4087, Austin, Texas 78773-0001, (512) 424-2890.

The amendment is proposed pursuant to the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 481, Texas Controlled Substances Act, §481.064(a) which states the director may adopt reasonable rules.

The Health and Safety Code, Chapter 481, Texas Controlled Substances Act, §481.064(a) is affected by this proposal.

§13.106. Exceptions to Use of Triplicate Prescription Forms.

(a)-(c)

(No change.)

(d)

A triplicate prescription is not required when a therapeutic optometrist administers a topical ocular pharmaceutical agent in compliance with the Texas Optometry Act (the Act) or a rule adopted by the Texas Optometry Board under the authority of the Act.

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

Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 16, 1996.

TRD-9618405

Dudley M. Thomas

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Earliest possible date of adoption: February 3, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 424-2890


Part VII. Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education

Chapter 211. Administration

22 TAC §211.77, §211.78

(Editor's Note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the offices of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education ("commission") proposes the repeal of §§211.77 and 211.78, concerning minimum training standards for peace officers and county jailers. A reorganization plan for the Commission's rules, which was developed by staff in response to concerns that the rules had become too complex, disorganized and difficult to understand, was proposed by staff, discussed by the Commission's Ad Hoc Rules Committee and considered during the drafting of a number of new rules over the last year. Included in the reorganization plan is a schedule developed by staff for renumbering certain sections as a way to more clearly label specific topics and to more fully utilize the chapter numbers available in the Texas Administrative Code for the Commission's rules. New sections §§217.77 and 217.78, proposed in this issue of the Texas Register , will replace §§211.77 and 211.78.

D. C. Jim Dozier, Executive Director of the commission, has determined that for the first five-year period that the repeals are in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of the repeal of these sections.

Mr. Dozier also has determined that for each year of the first five years the repeals are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result will be better understanding on the part of the law enforcement community of the training standards for peace officer and jailer licenses. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated increase in economic cost to individuals who are required to comply.

Wirtten comments should be submitted to D. C. Jim Dozier, Executive Director, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education, 6330 U. S. Highway 290 East, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78723 or by facsimile to (512) 406-3614.

The repeals are proposed under Texas Government Code Annotated, Chapter 415, §415.010, which authorizes the commission to promulgate rules for the administration of Chapter 415; under §415.031, which requires the commission to establish and maintain training programs for officers and county jailers; and under §415.032, which requires the commission to establish minimum curriculum requirements for preparatory courses and programs.

The following statutes are affected by the proposed repeals: Texas Government Code Annotated, Chapter 415, §415.010. General Powers.

§211.77. Minimum Training Standards for Peace Officers.

§211.78.. Minimum Training Standards for Jailers.

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

Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 19, 1996.

TRD-9618442

Edward T. Laine

Chief, Professional Standards and Administrative Operations

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education

Proposed date of adoption: March 7, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 450-0188


37 TAC §211.96

(Editor's Note: The text of the following section proposed for repeal will not be published. The section may be examined in the offices of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education ("Commission") proposes the repeal of §211.96, concerning reactivation of peace officer licenses. A reorganization plan for the Commission's rules, which was developed by staff in response to concerns that the rules had become too complex, disorganized and difficult to understand, was proposed by staff, discussed by the Commission's Ad Hoc Rules Committee and considered during the drafting of a number of new rules over the last year. Included in the reorganization plan is a schedule developed by staff for renumbering certain sections as a way to more clearly label specific topics and to more fully utilize the chapter numbers available in the Texas Administrative Code for the Commission's rules. New section §217.96, proposed in this issue of the Texas Register , will replace §211.96.

D. C. Jim Dozier, Executive Director of the commission, has determined that for the first five-year period that the repeal is in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government.

Mr. Dozier also has determined that for each year of the first five years the repeal is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result will be more fair and efficient administration of reactivation procedures for peace officers, an improvement in the professionalism of non-commissioned peace officer license holders, and an increase in the pool of qualified individuals eligible for hire by Texas law enforcement agencies. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated increase in economic cost to individuals who are required to comply.

Written comments should be submitted to D. C. Jim Dozier, Executive Director, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education, 6330 U. S. Highway 290 East, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78723, or by facsimile to (512) 406-3614.

The repeal is proposed under Texas Government Code Annotated, Chapter 415 §415.010, which authorizes the commission to promulgate rules for the administration of Chapter 415; and under §415.052, which requires the commission to adopt rules relating to requirements for reactivation of a peace officers' license after a break in employment.

The following statutes are affected by the proposed new section: Texas Government Code Annotated, Chapter 415, §415.010. General Powers.

§211.96. Reactivation of a Peace Officer License.

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

Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 19, 1996.

TRD-9618440

Edward T. Laine

Chief, Professional Standards and Administrative Operations

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education

Proposed date of adoption: March 7, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 450-0188


Chapter 217. Licensing Requirements

37 TAC §217.96

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education ("Commission") proposes new §217.96, concerning reactivation of a peace officer license. A reorganization plan for the Commission's rules, which was developed by staff in response to concerns that the rules had become too complex and difficult to understand, was proposed by staff, discussed by the Commission's Ad Hoc Rules Committee, and considered during the drafting of a number of new rules over the last year. Included in the reorganization plan is a schedule developed by staff for renumbering certain sections as a way to more clearly label specific topics and to more fully utilize the chapter numbers available in the Texas Administrative Code for the Commission's rules. The new section §217.96 will replace current §211.96, which is proposed to be repealed in this edition of the exas Register .

The proposed new section contains two important changes. First, it contains a new provision that allows the holder of an active license to maintain the active status of that license by completing the forty hours of continuing education training required of peace officer license holders every 24 months. Second, the new section contains a change to the examination procedures for those whose licenses have become inactive. The current rule allows a person who wishes to reactivate a peace officer license to take the exam once without obtaining any additional training. If the licensee fails, the current rule requires the completion of a "supplementary" course before being granted three opportunities to pass the exam. Only after failing at those three tries is the licensee required to complete the entire basic peace officer course again. The proposed new rule provides that a reactivator may challenge the exam three times. If the licensee fails those three times, he or she must complete the entire basic peace officer course before being allowed another three tries. Finally, some out-of-date and burdensome provisions regarding temporary licenses were omitted from the proposed new rule.

D. C. Jim Dozier, Executive Director of the commission, has determined that for the first five-year period that the new section is in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government.

Mr. Dozier also has determined that for each year of the first five years the new section is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result will be more fair and efficient administration of reactivation procedures for peace officers, an improvement in the professionalism of non-commissioned peace officer license holders, and an increase in the pool of qualified individuals eligible for hire by Texas law enforcement agencies. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated increase in economic cost to individuals who are required to comply.

Written comments should be submitted to D. C. Jim Dozier, Executive Director, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education, 6330 U. S. Highway 290 East, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78723 or by facsimile to (512) 406-3614.

The new section proposed under Texas Government Code Annotated, Chapter 415 §415.010, which authorizes the commission to promulgate rules for the administration of Chapter 415; and under §415.052, which requires the commission to adopt rules relating to requirements for reactivation of a peace officers' license after a break in employment.

The following statutes are affected by the proposed new section: Texas Government Code Annotated, Chapter 415, §415.010. General Powers.

§217.96. Reactivation of a Peace Officer License.

(a)

The commission will place a peace officer license in an inactive status when the license holder has not been reported to the commission as appointed as either a peace officer or reserve law enforcement officer for more than two years after:

(1)

the last report of termination; or

(2)

the date of last reactivation.

(b)

Effective September 1, 1997, the holder of an active license who meets all other current licensing standards may maintain an active license status by completing continuing education training to comply with the continuing education training requirements in place for the license at the time.

(c)

The holder of an inactive license is unlicensed for purposes of these sections and the Government Code, Chapter 415.

(d)

In this section, the term "peace officer license" includes any permanent peace officer qualification certificate with an effective date before September 1, 1981.

(e)

Upon application and submission of any required fee, the commission will issue the holder of an inactive peace officer license an endorsement of eligibility to take the peace officer examination. This endorsement of eligibility will allow the applicant to take the examination three times. If failed three times, the applicant may not be issued another endorsement of eligibility until successful completion of the current basic peace officer course.

(f)

The effective date of this section is June 1, 1997.

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

Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 19, 1996.

TRD-9618439

Edward T. Laine

Chief, Professional Standards and Administrative Operations

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education

Proposed date of adoption: March 7, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 450-0188