Governor Abbott Vetoes House Bill 1855 (84R)
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 14, of the Texas Constitution, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove of and veto House Bill No. 1855 as passed by the Eighty- Fourth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, because of the following objections:
Texas rightly holds its state correctional officers to the highest standards of professional excellence. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice meets those standards through numerous training and continuing education programs, including training for mental health crisis intervention. TDCJ must continue those efforts. House Bill 1855 unnecessarily micromanages the state prison system by requiring officers to meet rigid and arbitrary training and education quotas. TDCJ should retain the flexibility to adjust its training and education methods and requirements to meet the prison system's evolving needs.
Since the Eighty-Fourth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, by its adjournment has prevented the return of this bill, I am filing these objections in the office of the Secretary of State and giving notice thereof by this public proclamation according to the aforementioned constitutional provision.
GREG ABBOTT
Governor
View a PDF of the veto here