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Public Safety Commission approves FY‑26 operating budget, pay increase for colonel, and several rule and personnel actions
Summary
At the Aug. 7 meeting the commission adopted the fiscal year 2026 internal operating budget, approved an increase to the colonel's salary to the legislative maximum, reinstated the retire‑rehire program for certain retirees, voted to publish multiple rule proposals for public comment, and adopted an ALJ proposal to deny a security license.
The Public Safety Commission on Aug. 7 approved a series of governance actions, including the department’s fiscal year 2026 internal operating budget, an increase to the colonel’s salary to the maximum authorized by the legislature, reinstatement of a retire‑to‑rehire program under new statutory conditions, adoption of an administrative law judge proposal denying a commissioned security officer license, and publication of several rule proposals for public comment.
Chief Suzy Whittington, the agency’s chief financial officer, presented the FY‑26 internal operating budget. She said the fiscal year runs September 2025 through August 2026 and that the General Appropriations Act supplied a base appropriation; adjustments were made for updated revenue estimates, decreased federal funds and new appropriations from recently passed bills (including funding tied to rapid DNA analysis from Senate Bill 1723 and the creation of a Homeland Security Division in Senate Bill 36). Whittington said roughly 63% of the operating budget is for salaries and overtime; general revenue comprises about 94% of the method of finance. The commission voted to adopt the FY‑26 internal operating budget as presented.
General counsel Phil Atkins summarized legal authority for the colonel’s pay decision. The commission voted to increase the colonel’s salary from $345,250 to the legislative maximum of $390,908 per year, effective Sept. 1, 2025.
Colonel Martin explained the proposal to reinstate a retire‑rehire practice that was previously suspended; he said recent statutory changes removed certain Chapter 411 employment protections for rehired retirees and restored the department’s ability to hire retirees on fixed‑term or at‑will arrangements. The commission voted to reinstate that program, subject to a forthcoming draft policy that will set eligibility, 90‑day rehire limits, and other processes.
On a contested case, the commission adopted the State Office of Administrative Hearings recommendation to deny Gregory R. T. Souza’s application for a commissioned security officer license on federal‑prohibition grounds. The commission also voted to publish two sets of rule proposals in the Texas Register for public comment: (1) an amendment aligning commercial motor vehicle inspection procedures with federal standards and a school‑bus rule requiring illuminated signs on new buses and increasing wheelchair‑lift capacity for new buses; and (2) proposed rule changes implementing statutory timeframes, operational continuity standards and security requirements for satellite locations in the Compassionate Use Program (items E‑2 through E‑4).
Votes at a glance (motions recorded in meeting minutes): - Adopt FY‑26 internal operating budget as presented. Motion: Commissioner Blair; second: Commissioner Hord. Vote: unanimous (5‑0). - Increase colonel’s salary to $390,908 (authorized by legislature). Motion: Commissioner Blair; second: Commissioner Long. Vote: unanimous (5‑0). - Reinstate retire‑rehire program for eligible retirees under new statutory terms. Motion: Commissioner Blair; second: Commissioner Hord. Vote: unanimous (5‑0). - Adopt ALJ proposal denying a commissioned security officer license (Gregory R.T. Souza). Motion: Commissioner Blair; second: Commissioner Stodjell. Vote: unanimous (5‑0). - Publish rule proposals for public comment: items E‑1 and E‑5 (commercial motor vehicle enforcement and school bus safety). Motion: Commissioner Blair; second: Commissioner Stodjell. Vote: unanimous (5‑0). - Publish rule proposals for public comment: items E‑2 through E‑4 (compassionate use program timeframes, continuous operations standard, satellite security). Motion: Commissioner Blair; second: Commissioner Long. Vote: unanimous (5‑0).
Ending: Commissioners closed the consent agenda and set future meeting dates (discharge hearings Oct. 8, 2025; regular commission meeting Oct. 9, 2025). They also directed staff to provide updated organizational charts and personnel rosters in future binders.
