Kolkhorst Pushes DPS Overhaul Legislation Through Texas House

(Austin , TX ) May 14, 2009 With the second Texas Department of Public Safety executive director resigning in less than a year, State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) called on fellow lawmakers to support her House Bill 2730, which provides for a major overhaul of the agency. The state law enforcement agency operates on a billion-dollar state budget with more than 8,000 employees.
The bill passed the House unanimously Thursday.

The legislation will move to the Senate where it will be sponsored by Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (D- Mission). Kolkhorst said the bill is a product of the Sunset Commission recommendations which were written last year on the heels of criticism of DPS for a June fire that severely damaged the Governor's Mansion, as well as the recent leadership lapses at the agency.

"The resignation of Col. Clark was yet another reminder of the problems we need to solve by passing the DPS sunset bill," Kolkhorst said. "We should provide the guidance and tools needed to modernize this world-famous law enforcement agency. I think that this bill does that."

Kolkhorst highlighted the Inspector General recommendation she first made during the Sunset process in 2008, which will create a stronger internal affairs division within DPS. Under her proposal, instead of reporting directly to the agency's director, the new Inspector General will answer to the Public Safety Commission.
Kolkhorst said that the abrupt departure of Col. Stanley Clark last month is further proof that major reforms are needed. Clark was named to the post only last September, when he replaced Col. Tommy Davis who retired in the wake of the Governor's Mansion fire investigation.

"This bill offers sweeping changes," Kolkhorst said. "If passed, the bill creates an independent Inspector General who answers directly to the commission, instead of an agency supervisor. The bill not only helps our hard-working troopers protect the public and detect crime, but it also seeks to change the culture within DPS."

Other recommendations included in the legislation include a plan for a more customer-friendly drivers license office and new guidelines for the state's division of emergency management, which oversees disasters such as last year's Hurricane Ike.
The bill also proposes a shorter deadline until the next legislative review, pulling the agency back into the sunset review process after six years, instead of the usual twelve.

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