AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today signed several critical pieces of public safety legislation passed during the 88th Regular Legislative Session into law at the Texas Capitol. The comprehensive package of eight public safety bills signed by the Governor will help ensure communities across Texas have the resources needed to support law enforcement personnel, enhance criminal penalties for growing classes of crimes, and hold district attorneys accountable, among other measures.
“One thing that we all agree upon is providing resources that will make our communities safer, as well as supporting our law enforcement in the State of Texas,” said Governor Abbott. “Today, I’m here to sign eight public safety bills from regular session that serve to protect Texans and hold criminals accountable. One of those bills holds rogue district attorneys accountable. If a rogue district attorney wants to be in law enforcement, they have to start by enforcing the laws of the State of Texas. We will sign bills that rein in the rash of illegal street racing. Law enforcement needs more and better tools to crack down on street racing in Texas communities. I’ll also sign a bill to deter catalytic converter theft, punish criminals who remove ankle monitors, and a law that puts violent criminals behind bars for longer if they leave their victim permanently paralyzed or facing serious brain damage. Additionally, I’m signing a law to provide support for our rural law enforcement officers.”
Governor Abbott was joined at the bill signing ceremony by Senators Carol Alvarado, Paul Bettencourt, Brian Birdwell, Bob Hall, Joan Huffman, and Drew Springer, Representatives David Cook, Frederick Frazier, Stan Gerdes, Ryan Guillen, Jeff Leach, Mihaela Plesa, and Armando Walle, Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) President Marvin Ryals, Texas Municipal Police Association ( TMPA) Executive Director Kevin Lawrence, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw, and other public safety advocates.
