The department is responsible for Capitol Complex law enforcement and security, must adopt security rules, and must work with the City of Austin on an interlocal agreement.
Sec. 411.062. LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY AUTHORITY. (a) The department has primary responsibility for law enforcement and security services on the Capitol Complex. (b) Subsection (a) does not prohibit the department from requesting or receiving assistance from another law enforcement agency. (c) This section does not prohibit a peace officer who is not a member of the department from exercising the officer's authority on the Capitol Complex in an emergency or in a situation where the officer reasonably believes that immediate action is necessary. (d) The department shall adopt rules relating to security of persons and access to and protection of the grounds, public buildings, and property of the state within the Capitol Complex, except that public use of the capitol, the capitol extension, the capitol grounds, and the General Land Office building shall be governed by the State Preservation Board. (d-1) The director shall adopt rules governing the use of unmanned aircraft in the Capitol Complex. The rules adopted under this subsection may: (1) prohibit the use of unmanned aircraft in the Capitol Complex; or (2) authorize limited use of unmanned aircraft in the Capitol Complex. (e) The department may enforce the rules of the State Preservation Board, adopted under Section 443.018. (f) The department and the City of Austin shall execute an interlocal cooperation agreement that defines the respective responsibilities of the department and the city for traffic and parking enforcement and general security in the Capitol Complex, including private property within the boundaries of the complex. (g) The commission may authorize the director to impose within the Capitol Complex measures the director determines to be necessary to protect the safety and security of persons and property within the complex. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 790, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 270, Sec. 4, eff. May 26, 1997. Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 178 (H.B. 3628), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.