Sec. 11.0201. SPECIAL GAME WARDENS. (a) The director may commission as a special game warden an honorably retired commissioned game warden of the department.

(b) An applicant for a special game warden commission must meet the minimum standards for licensing of a peace officer under the rules adopted by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d) of this section, a special game warden is subject to the orders of the director for special duty to the same extent as other law enforcement officers commissioned under this subchapter.

(d) A special game warden may enforce only:

(1) provisions of this code;

(2) regulations promulgated by the commission;

(3) provisions of the Penal Code; and

(4) other state laws intended to protect life or property, except a law that regulates the use of a motor vehicle on state highways.

(e) The department may assign a special game warden for duty in any area of the state, under the authority of the department's supervisory personnel in that area.

(f) The director has authority over the law enforcement activities of a special game warden regardless of whether the special game warden is on active or inactive status.

(g) The commission by rule shall establish standards governing the conduct and duties of special game wardens.

(h) Before the director may issue a special game warden commission, the applicant must file an oath and a bond in the amount of $2,500. The bond must be executed by a surety company authorized to do business in this state, must indemnify all persons against damages resulting from an unlawful act of the special game warden, and must be payable to the department at the time the applicant receives the commission.

(i) A special game warden commission expires on August 31 of the second calendar year following the year in which the commission is granted. At expiration of the commission, a special game warden is eligible for recommission. A special game warden serves at the will of the director.

(j) The commission by rule shall determine compensation for the services of a special game warden. Compensation for a special game warden may not exceed the actual value of the services rendered by the special game warden.

Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 212, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.

Amended by:

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 93 (S.B. 686), Sec. 2.59, eff. May 18, 2013.