Text of article effective on January 01, 2025
Art. 2B.0152.  PROVISION OF MONEY OR EQUIPMENT.  (a)  The department shall adopt rules for providing money or video and audio equipment to law enforcement agencies to:
(1)  install video and audio equipment in law enforcement motor vehicles and motorcycles; or
(2)  equip peace officers with body worn cameras.
(b)  The rules described by Subsection (a) must specify criteria to prioritize money or equipment provided to law enforcement agencies.  The criteria may include consideration of tax effort, financial hardship, available revenue, and budget surpluses. The criteria must give priority to:
(1)  law enforcement agencies that employ peace officers whose primary duty is traffic enforcement;
(2)  smaller jurisdictions; and
(3)  municipal and county law enforcement agencies.
(c)  The department shall collaborate with an institution of higher education to identify law enforcement agencies that need money or video and audio equipment for a purpose described by Subsection (a). The collaboration may include the use of a survey to assist in developing criteria to prioritize money or equipment provided to law enforcement agencies.
(d)  To receive money or video and audio equipment from the state for a purpose described by Subsection (a), the governing body of a county or municipality, in conjunction with the law enforcement agency serving the county or municipality, shall certify to the department that the law enforcement agency needs money or video and audio equipment for that purpose.
(e)  On receipt of money or video and audio equipment from the state for a purpose described by Subsection (a), the governing body of a county or municipality, in conjunction with the law enforcement agency serving the county or municipality, shall certify to the department that the law enforcement agency:
(1)  has taken the necessary actions to use the video and audio equipment or body worn cameras for that purpose; and
(2)  is using the video and audio equipment or body worn cameras for that purpose.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 1.001, eff. January 1, 2025.