Bill > HB4948

This bill establishes a new law enforcement academy in Eagle Pass, Texas, with comprehensive training and educational objectives. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement will create and maintain the academy, which will provide basic, intermediate, and advanced training for law enforcement officers, with a specific focus on specialized topics like border security, rural law enforcement, community policing, and mental health response. The academy will collaborate with higher education institutions, including Sul Ross State University-Rio Grande College and the Texas State University System, and local law enforcement agencies. A dedicated director will be employed to develop the academy's budget, oversee curriculum, and provide annual reports to the commission and legislature. Funding for the academy can come from legislative appropriations, state or federal grants, private donations, and tuition fees. The primary facility in Eagle Pass will include classrooms, training labs, simulation areas for emergency response and de-escalation drills, a driving course, and a firearms training range. The bill requires the commission to submit an implementation plan by December 31, 2026, and mandates annual reports detailing enrollment, graduation rates, job placement, community engagement, and program recommendations. The academy is set to begin operations, with the bill taking effect on September 1, 2025.

Military Affairs and Security

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4948