H.B. No. 3846 amends various sections of the Local Government Code and the Occupations Code to clarify the roles and responsibilities of reserve peace officers and reserve deputy constables. The bill allows these officers to carry weapons and act as peace officers at all times or limits their authority to specific duties, depending on the discretion of the sheriff or constable. It also specifies that reserve officers, regardless of their status as peace officers, are not eligible for benefits typically associated with full-time employment, such as pension funds, and are not exempt from certain occupational regulations.

Additionally, the bill introduces new reporting requirements for non-full-time officers, mandating that law enforcement agencies submit reports on the employment activities of these officers, including hours worked and services provided to entities outside the agency. This section aims to enhance oversight and accountability regarding the employment of non-full-time officers. The bill also repeals a section of the Local Government Code that previously governed the appointment of reserve officers, streamlining the legal framework surrounding their employment. The act is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

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 (Occupations Code 1702, Local Government Code 86, Water Code 60, Local Government Code 341, Local Government Code 85)
House Committee Report: Local Government Code 85.004, Local Government Code 86.012, Local Government Code 341.012, Water Code 60.0775 (Occupations Code 1702, Local Government Code 86, Water Code 60, Local Government Code 341, Local Government Code 85)