TITLE: Relating to the transfer or sale of a law enforcement dog to a peace officer, an honorably retired peace officer, or a survivor of a deceased peace officer.

SUMMARY: Relating to the transfer or sale of a law enforcement dog to a peace officer, an honorably retired peace officer, or a survivor of a deceased peace officer.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the transfer or sale of a law enforcement dog to a peace officer, an honorably retired peace officer, or a survivor of a deceased peace officer. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 614, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter Lto read as follows: SUBCHAPTER L. TRANSFER OF LAW ENFORCEMENT DOG TO PEACE OFFICER, HONORABLY RETIRED PEACE OFFICER, OR SURVIVOR OF DECEASED PEACE OFFICER Sec. 614.221. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Governmental entity" means a state agency or a political subdivision, including a county, municipality, school district, special district, or joint board created under Section 22.074, Transportation Code. (2) "Law enforcement dog" means a dog owned by a governmental entity that is assigned to a peace officer for law enforcement purposes. Sec. 614.222. COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROVISIONS INAPPLICABLE. A transfer authorized under this subchapter is not subject to competitive bidding, salvage property disposition, or similar requirements that would otherwise be applicable to the transfer. Sec. 614.223. TRANSFER OF RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT DOG TO PEACE OFFICER. At the request of a peace officer who is the handler of a law enforcement dog that is to be retired from service, the governmental entity that owns the dog shall transfer ownership of the dog to the peace officer. Sec. 614.224. PURCHASE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT DOG BY HONORABLY RETIRED PEACE OFFICER. On the request of a peace officer who retires honorably and who has been the handler of a law enforcement dog, a governmental entity shall allow the peace officer to purchase the dog. Sec. 614.225. PURCHASE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT DOG BY SURVIVING SPOUSE, CHILD, OR PARENT OF DECEASED PEACE OFFICER. (a) For a law enforcement dog whose handler died while commissioned, the governmental entity that owns the dog may sell the dog to, in order of priority: (1) the surviving spouse of the deceased peace officer; (2) a child of the deceased peace officer; and (3) a parent of the deceased peace officer. (b) The governmental entity may sell a dog under Subsection (a) regardless of whether the officer died while discharging the officer's official duties. Sec. 614.226. PURCHASE PRICE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT DOG. A governmental entity shall establish the amount for which a law enforcement dog may be purchased under this subchapter, which may not exceed fair market value. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.