Court Opinion

ID: 4129087
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-02-18 00:47:05.582663+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:31:19.274986
License: Public Domain

OFFICE          ofthe   ATTORNEY GENERAL
                                                        GREG         ABBOTT

                                                       January 6,2003

The Honorable Robert June11                                           Opinion No. GA-0008
Chair, House Committee on Appropriations
Texas House of Representatives                                       Re: Authority of the Texas Commission on
P.O. Box 2910                                                        Private Security to regulate funeral escort services
Austin, Texas 787682910                                              (RQ-0573-JC)

Dear Representative   Junell:

        You ask whether the Texas Commission on Private Security has authority under chapter 1702
of the Occupations Code to adopt rules regulating a uniformed motorcycle escort service and to
apply them to a private funeral escort service. To the extent that a uniformed motorcycle escort
service performs only traffic control functions in connection with escorting a funeral procession or
other motorcade, it is not subject to regulation by the Texas Commission on Private Security.

         Pursuant to the Private Security Act (the “Act”), TEX. OCC. CODE ANN. ch. 1702 (Vernon
2003), the Texas Commission on Private Security (the “Commission”) licenses and regulates
investigations companies and security services contractors. See id. 4 8 1702.004, . 101; see also id.
$9 1702.102 (activities of security services contractors), .104 (activities of an investigations
company).      The Commission “shall adopt rules and general policies” to guide the agency in
administering chapter 1702 of the Occupations Code and it is authorized to “adopt rules necessary
to implement” that chapter. Id. 4 1702.061(b), (d)(3). Y ou ask whether rules that the Commission
has adopted to regulate a uniformed motorcycle escort service are authorized by the Act. See 27 Tex.
Reg. 561 (2002), adopted 27 Tex. Reg. 3357 (2002) (to be codified at 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE ch.
428) (Tex. Comm’n on Private Security).

         We summarize the standards for determining the validity of administrative rules. The
legislature may delegate to administrative agencies the authority to promulgate rules reasonably
necessary to carry out the expressed purpose of a statute. See R.R. Comm ‘n of Tex. v. Lone Star Gas
Co., 844 S.W.2d 679 (Tex. 1992). The courts presume that administrative regulations are valid and
the burden of demonstrating their invalidity is on the challenging party. See Brown v. Humble Oil
& Refining Co., 87 S.W.2d 1069 (Tex. 1935); Browning-Ferris, Inc. v. Tex. Dep ‘t of Health, 625
S.W.2d 764,767 (Tex. App.-Austin 1981, writ ref d. n.r.e.). See also Bullock v. Hewlett-Packard
Co., 628 S.W.2d 754,756 (Tex. 1982) (courts must uphold legislative administrative rules if they
are reasonable). An administrative agency may, however, adopt only rules that are authorized by and
consistent with its statutory authority. See R.R. Comm ‘n, 844 S.W.2d at 685; State Bd. of Ins. v.
Deffebach, 631 S.W.2d 794, 798 (Tex. App.-Austin 1982, writ ref d n.r.e.). Administrative rules

                                An Equal Employment    Opportunity   Employer   . Printed   on Recycled   Paper
The Honorable Robert June11 - Page 2                  (GA-0008)

may not impose additional burdens, conditions, or restrictions in excess of the statutory provisions.
Hollywood Callingv. Pub. Util. Comm ‘n of Tex., 805 S.W.2d 618,620 (Tex. App.-Austin 1991, no
writ). The determining factor as to whether an agency exceeded its statutory authority is whether
the rule is in harmony with the general objectives of the statute. Gerst v. Oak Cliff Savings & Loan
Ass’n, 432 S.W.2d 702,706 (Tex. 1968).

        We turn to the rules titled “Uniformed          Motorcycle Escort Service.” They provide in part:

                  All guard companies . . . [as defined by chapter 1702 of the
                  Occupations Code’] shall register any employee who wears a uniform
                  commonly associated with private security or law enforcement prior
                  to assigning employee to any uniformed escort duty.

27 Tex. Reg. 561(2002), adopted 27 Tex. Reg. 3357 (2002) (to be codified at 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE
8 428.1) (Tex. Comm’n on Private Security). Rule 428.2 provides that the Commission shall
approve “[tlhe uniform, badge and shoulder patch worn by an escort service” and that “[n]o uniform,
badge or shoulder patch other than those approved by the Commission shall be worn.” Id. Rule
428.7 exempts peace officers, providing as follows:

                  Nothing in the rule shall be construed to prohibit regularly employed
                  officers of the State or any political subdivision of the State from
                  furnishing uniformed motorcycle escort services when assigned by
                  their respective departments      or when providing a service in
                  compliance with 8 1702.322 [providing exemption from chapter 1702
                  for law enforcement personnel under specific circumstances].

Id. at 562 (to be codified at 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE 8 428.7). Other rules address insurance, the
requirement that uniformed employees hold amotorcycle operator’s license, see TEX. TRANSP. CODE
ANN. 8 52 1.084 (Vernon 1999), the requirement that uniformed motorcycle escorts comply with
state law restricting the operation of a motor vehicle equipped with certain kinds of lights, see id.
8 547.305(c) (V emon Supp. 2003), and disqualification from employment with a motorcycle escort
service of persons who have been convicted of driving while intoxicated during the last five years.
See 27 Tex. Reg. 561-62 (2002), adopted 27 Tex. Reg. 3357 (2002) (to be codified at 22 TEX.
ADMIN. CODE $5 428.3-.6) (Tex. Comm’n on Private Security). None of the rules indicate that the
uniformed employees are to be armed. Thus, they are not subject to any provisions applicable to
armed security officers. See TEX. OCC. CODE ANN. $5 1702.107 (Vernon 2003) (person acts as a
courier company if person transports certain items under armed guard); .16 1 (security officer who
carries a firearm in course of duties must hold a security officer commission issued by the
Commission on Private Security).

          ‘Rule 428.1 refers to “guard companies, as defined by Title 10, Chapter 1702 Subchapter G $1702.161, Texas
Occupations Code.” 27 Tex. Reg. 561 (2002), adopted 27 Tex. Reg. 3357 (2002) (to be codified at 22 TEX. ADMIN.
CODE 9 428.1) (Tex. Comm’n on Private Security). Section 1702.161 of the Occupations Code actually relates to armed
security officers and the requirement that they hold a security officer commission issued by the Commission on Private
Security. See TEX. OCC. CODE ANN. 5 1702.161 (Vernon 2003). “Guard company” is defined in section 1702.108 of
the Occupations Code. See id. 5 1702.108.
The Honorable   Robert June11 - Page 3          (GA-0008)

        We consider whether the above rules are within the Commission’s authority to adopt rules
“necessary to implement” chapter 1702 of the Occupations Code and whether they otherwise comply
with the standards for determining the validity of administrative rules. The Act expressly authorizes
the Commission to regulate alarm systems companies, armored car companies, courier companies,
guard companies, guard dog companies, security officers, and personal protection officers. See TEX.
OCC.CODEANN. $5 1702.102, .104-.109, .161, .201 (Vemon2003).            Seealsoid. $0 1702.321-.323
(government employees while performing official duties and peace officers under the various
circumstances set out in the statute are excepted from the provisions of chapter 1702). Nothing in
the Act expressly authorizes the Commission to regulate uniformed motorcycle escort services or
even expressly refers to such services.

         Section 428.1 requires “guard companies” to register an employee who wears a uniform
commonly associated with private security or law enforcement prior to assigning that employee to
uniformed escort duty. The Commission apparently based these rules on its authority to regulate
“guard companies” pursuant to section 1702.108 of the Occupations Code. Accordingly, we must
determine whether the Commission’s statutory authority to regulate guard companies includes
authority to regulate persons who provide uniformed motorcycle escort services, that is, whether the
services performed by a uniforrned motorcycle escort are within the services of a “guard company”
as described by section 1702.108.

         A determination about the functions performed by a uniformed motorcycle escort service and
a private funeral escort service will involve the investigation and resolution of questions of fact,
which cannot be resolved in the opinion process. See Tex. Att’y Gen. Op. Nos. JC-0328 (2000) at
6, JC-0020 (1999) at 2,0-29 11 (1940) at 2. We will therefore rely on the characterization of these
services in judicial decisions and legislation. See Tex. Att’y Gen. Op. Nos. DM-236 (1993) at 2, JM-
1216 (1990) at 2.

        The functions of an escort service, particularly in connection with escorting funerals, are
addressed in Blackwell v. Harris County, 909 S.W.2d 135, 139 (Tex. App.-Houston        [14th Dist.]
1995, writ denied). In Blackwell, the court determined that a deputy sheriff was acting within the
course and scope of his employment when escorting a funeral procession. The court explained the
deputy’s participation as follows:

                        State law requires strict adherence to traffic control signals
                unless otherwise directed by a police officer. . . . To maintain the
                cohesive integrity of a motorcade in an urban environment, its
                members must often proceed in opposition to traffic control devices.
                This is not possible without a police escort.

Black-well, 909 S.W.2d at 138 (citations omitted). It further noted that the City of Houston required
all funeral processions to be accompanied by peace officers for the purpose of directing traffic. See
id. at 140; HOUSTON, TEX., CODE OF ORDINANCES ch. 45, art. IX, 5 45-253 (2002) (each funeral
procession     shall be accompanied          by a police      motorcycle     escort),    available    at
http://www.ci.houston.tx.us/codes/chapters41   to45.htm (last visited Dec. 19,2002) . See also Brown
v. Vigeon, 367 S.W.2d 727 (Tex. Civ. App.-Beaumont          1963, writ ref d n.r.e.) (driver in funeral
The Honorable      Robert June11 - Page 4               (GA-0008)

procession who entered intersection against red light without benefit of direction by police officer
did not have right-of-way). Thus, the purpose of the funeral escort in Blackwell was traffic control,
with the purpose of keeping the motorcade together.

         Although peace officers provide traffic control for funeral processions in Houston, some
Texas cities allow funeral processions to be accompanied by private motor vehicle escorts for traffic
control purposes. See generally City of Amarillo v. Griggs Southwest Mortuary, Inc., 406 S.W.2d
230, 232 (Tex. Civ. App.-Amarillo        1966, writ ref d n.r.e.) (home rule city may enact ordinance
regulating vehicles using public streets). An ordinance of the City of San Angelo provides that a
funeral director may not allow a funeral procession to disregard traffic control signals upon the
public streets “unless said procession is escorted by the police or by a licensed escort service.” SAN
ANGELO, TEX., CODE OF ORDINANCES               ch. 10, art. 10.1300, 9 10.1301 (2002), available at
http://www.sanangelotexas.org;/    (last visited Dec. 19, 2002).2 Under this ordinance, a licensed escort
service performs a traffic control function.

         The City of Dallas does not require persons conducting funerals to employ a private motor
vehicle escort service to guide or escort a funeral procession in the city, but the funeral procession
must be identified by displaying a pennant on the lead vehicle and the hearse and all other vehicles
must have their headlamps turned on. DALLAS, TEX., THE DALLAS CITY CODE ch. 28, art. XV,
tj 28-37,28-l 8 1(2002), available at http://dallascitvhall.com/dallas/en&ml/codes.html     (last visited
Dec. 19,2002). The purpose of such requirements is to make the funeral procession clearly visible
to other motorists, to enable it to move safely through city traffic. See Butcher v. Churchill, 159
N.E.2d 620 (Ohio Ct. App. 1958) (statute requiring each vehicle in funeral procession to display
pennant); Union Park Mem ‘1 Chapel v. Hutt, 670 So. 2d 64 (Fla. 1996) (funeral director who
organized and led funeral procession owed duty of reasonable care to participants). The use of a
motorcycle escort may also help identify the funeral procession to other motorists, which would
assist the motorcade to stay together and help protect the safety of persons participating in the
motorcade and those using the same streets.

         Blackwell states that a motor vehicle escort provides traffic control for a funeral procession,
and the city ordinances we have cited also show that the purpose of a motor vehicle escort is to aid
a procession of cars to travel safely through traffic. See Blackwell, 909 S.W.2d at 138; see also
Ronald Schmidt, Annotation, Liability for Injury or Damages Resulting from Operation of Vehicle
in Funeral Procession or in Procession Which is Claimed to Have Such Legal Status, 52 A.L.R.Sth
15 5 (1997) (discussing cases about liability for injury or damages resulting from operation of vehicle
in funeral procession).     Our discussion of the Commission’s          authority to regulate uniformed
motorcycle escort services is premised on the idea that such services perform traffic control functions
or serve to identify a motorcade to other motorists to assist it in safely traveling on the public streets.
Different facts relating to a particular service might require a different analysis. With these caveats
in mind, we look at the functions of a “guard company” to determine whether these encompass the
traffic control and traffic safety functions performed by a motorcycle escort.

         *We look at home rule city ordinances solely for information   about the nature of motor vehicle escort services,
without considering any legal issues that they might raise.
The Honorable Robert June11 - Page 5            (GA-0008)

         Section 1702.004 defines the Commission’s regulatory authority. In addition to performing
duties required by other law or exercising powers granted by other law, the Commission licenses
investigations companies and security services contractors. See TEX. Oct. CODE ANN. tj 1702.004
(Vernon 2003). See also id. $5 1702.102 (security services contractor license required to act as
alarm systems company, armored car company, courier company, guard company, or guard dog
company); .104 (investigations company engages in the business of obtaining or furnishing certain
kinds of information for purposes stated in the statute; acts as or provides bodyguard).        The
Commission also issues commissions to security officers who carry firearms in their employment
and issues authorizations     to certain security officers engaged in the personal protection of
individuals. See id. 88 1702.004, .161. It registers “certain individuals connected with a license
holder,” and “certain individuals employed in a field connected to private investigation or private
security,” and regulates license holders, security officers, and registrants under chapter 1702. Id.
 8 1702.004(4)-(5).     T o act as a guard company, a person must be licensed as a security
 services contractor. Id. $j 1702.102(a). A “person” includes “an individual, firm, association,
company, partnership, corporation, nonprofit organization, institution, or similar entity.” See id.
 8 1702.002(16).

        Section 1702.108 describes a guard company for the purposes of chapter 1702:

                          A person acts as a guard company . . . if the person employs
                  an individual described by Section 1702.323(d) or engages in the
                  business of or undertakes to provide a private watchman, guard, or
                  street patrol service on a contractual basis for another person to:

                                  (1) prevent entry, larceny, vandalism,   abuse,
                         fire, or trespass on private property;

                                  (2) prevent, observe, or detect unauthorized
                         activity on private property;

                                 (3) control, regulate, or direct the movement of
                         the public, whether by vehicle or otherwise, only to
                         the extent and for the time directly and specifically
                         required to ensure the protection of property;

                                  (4) protect an individual from bodily harm
                         including through the use of a personal protection
                         officer; or

                                  (5) perform a function similar to a function
                         listed in this section.

Id. 9 1702.108.
The Honorable Robert June11 - Page 6            (GA-0008)

         There are two branches to the definition of “guard company” in section 1702.108: (1) a
person who employs an individual described by section 1702.323(d), or (2) a person who engages
in a kind of business that is further described in subsections (1) through (5). We address the second
branch of the definition first. None of these subsections describe the traffic control and traffic safety
functions of a motor vehicle or motorcycle escort service. A motor vehicle or motorcycle escort
service does not act to “prevent entry, larceny, vandalism, abuse, fire, or trespass on private property;
. . . prevent, observe, or detect unauthorized activity on private property; . . .[or] protect an
individual from bodily harm including through the use of a personal protection officer.” Id.
tj 1702.108(l)-(2), (4).

         Under section 1702.108(3), a vehicle may be used to “control, regulate, or direct the
movement of the public . . . only to the extent andfor the time directly and specl$cally required to
ensure the protection ofproperty.” Id. § 1702.108(3) (emphasis added). The central idea of this
subsection is “the protection of property,” a function also carried out by certain other providers of
security services. See id. $5 1702.109( 1) (guard dog company), .182 (security department of private
business). The use of a vehicle “to control, regulate, or direct the movement of the public” is
narrowly limited “to the extent and for the time directly and specifically required” to protect
property. Id. 8 1702.108(3). This function might include patrolling a warehouse or parking garage
to protect its contents against theft or damage. In contrast, the purpose of a motorcycle escort service
is to enable a motorcade to stay together, to provide for traffic control where authorized, and to
promote the safety of persons traveling on the same streets, not to protect property.

         Finally, subsection (5) includes as a guard company a person who performs “a function
similar to a function listed in this section.” Id. § 1702.108(5). As we have already seen, the traffic
control functions of a uniformed motorcycle escort do not involve protecting private property from
trespass, damage, or unauthorized activity, or serving as a bodyguard for a person. The typical
functions of a motorcycle escort are not similar to any of the functions listed in section 1702.108,
and therefore are not encompassed in subsection 1702.108(5). Thus, a motorcycle escort service that
performs traffic control functions is not a “guard company” within the second branch of the
definition in section 1702.108.

         We turn to the first branch of the section 1702.108 definition of “guard company,” which
states that a person “acts as a guard company . . . if the person employs an individual described by
Section 1702.323(d).” Section 1702.323 of the Occupations Code provides that certain employees
are excepted from regulation under chapter 1702 while others, including individuals described by
Occupations Code 1702.323(d), are subject to regulation. Section 1702.323 provides as follows:

                         (a) Except as provided by Subsections (b) and (d), this chapter
                does not apply to an individual employed in an employee-employer
                relationship exclusively and regularly by one employer in connection
                with the affairs of the employer.

                        (b) [armed security officer must obtain commission].
The Honorable      Robert June11 - Page 7          (GA-0008)

                           (c) [possession of firearm by private security officer employed
                   by security department of private business].

                           (d) This chapter    applies   to an individual     described   by
                   Subsection (a) who:

                                   (1) works at a location that is open to the
                           public; and

                                   (2) in the course of employment:

                                           (A) regularly    comes      into
                                   contact with the public; and

                                            (B) wears a uniform with any
                                   type of badge commonly associated
                                   with security      personnel   or law
                                   enforcement or a patch or apparel with
                                   “security” or the name of the employer
                                   on the patch or apparel.

Id. fj 1702.323.

         Subsections 1702.323(a) and (d), when read together, describe an employee who is subject
to the requirements of chapter 1702: an individual “employed in an employee-employer relationship
exclusively and regularly by one employer in connection with the affairs of the employer,” who
“works at a location that is open to the public,” regularly comes into contact with the public, and
wears a patch or apparel displaying the name of the employer on the patch or apparel. Read in
isolation from the rest of chapter 1702, these provisions could apply to a grocery store checker or
cafeteria server. However, the legislative intent should be ascertained from the entire act, and not
an isolated portion thereof. Merchants Fast Motor Lines, Inc. v. R.R. Comm ‘n of Tex., 573 S.W.2d
502, 505 (Tex. 1978). When subsections 1702.323(a) and (d) are read together with the general
description of the Commission’s regulatory authority in section 1702.004, we see that individuals
within subsection 1702.323(d) must be employed in a field connected to private investigation or
private security, under the conditions stated in subsections 1702.323(a) and (d). See TEX. OCC.
CODE ANN. 58 1702.104, .323 (Vernon 2003). Accordingly, a person who employs an individual
to serve in a uniformed motorcycle escort to perform traffic control is not, for that reason, a “guard
company” within the first branch of the section 1702.108 definition.

         The general objectives of chapter 1702 involve the regulation ofprivate investigation services
and security services, not traffic control services. Accordingly, the Commission is not authorized
to regulate uniformed motor vehicle escorts that perform only traffic control services, and to the
extent its rules attempt to do so they are invalid. To the extent that a motorcycle escort service also
engages in security functions within the Commission’s statutory authority, the Commission does
have authority to regulate those activities.
The Honorable   Robert June11 - Page 8         (GA-0008)

         Two of the rules incorporate Transportation Code provisions on the license necessary to
operate a motorcycle and the operation of a motor vehicle equipped with certain kinds of lights. See
TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. $5 521.084 (Vernon 1999), 547.305(c) (Vernon Supp. 2003). A person
who operates a motorcycle must comply with these provisions of state law, regardless of whether
or not they are incorporated into a rule. In addition, if an employee of a uniformed motorcycle escort
service violates a provision of chapter 1702, such as the prohibition against impersonating a security
officer, that individual could be sanctioned under the statute. Finally, if the person in charge of a
particular funeral procession believes that a security guard as well as a motorcycle escort should
accompany it, that person may employ someone holding the appropriate license or registration from
the Commission.
The Honorable Robert June11 - Page 9           (GA-0008)

                                        SUMMARY

                        The Texas Commission on Private Security lacks authority
               under chapter 1702 of the Occupations Code, the Private Security
               Act, to adopt rules regulating a uniformed motorcycle escort service
               that performs only traffic control functions and traffic safety functions
               in connection with escorting a funeral procession or other motorcade.
               To the extent that a motorcycle escort service also engages in
               security functions within the Commission’s statutory authority, the
               Commission does have authority to regulate those activities.

                                               Very truly yours,

                                                             neral of Texas

BARRY R. MCBEE
First Assistant Attorney General

NANCY FULLER
Deputy Attorney General - General Counsel

SUSAN DENMON GUSKY
Chair, Opinion Committee

Susan L. Garrison
Assistant Attorney General, Opinion Committee