House Bill No. 3846 amends various sections of the Local Government Code and the Occupations Code to clarify the authority and limitations of reserve peace officers and reserve deputy constables in Texas. The bill allows these officers to carry weapons and act as peace officers at all times or restricts their authority to when they are engaged in official duties, as determined by the sheriff or constable. Notably, the bill introduces new provisions stating that reserve officers cannot perform actions requiring a license under Chapter 1702 of the Occupations Code unless they are properly licensed. Additionally, it prohibits reserve officers from using police vehicles outside their county for private gain and limits police escorts to those that begin or end within the county.

The bill also removes previous language that differentiated between reserve officers who are peace officers and those who are not, thereby standardizing the regulations applicable to all reserve officers. It clarifies that reserve officers are not eligible for benefits typically associated with full-time employment, such as pension funds. The changes aim to enhance the operational clarity and accountability of reserve officers while ensuring they adhere to licensing requirements and restrictions on their activities. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Local Government Code 85.004, Local Government Code 86.012, Local Government Code 341.012, Occupations Code 1702.322, Water Code 60.0775 (Local Government Code 86, Occupations Code 1702, Local Government Code 341, Water Code 60, Local Government Code 85)