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Public Safety Commission adopts multiple contested-case outcomes, posts driver-license rule changes and confirms promotions
Summary
The commission adopted administrative law judges' recommendations in several contested-license cases, rejected one ALJ recommendation and denied a security-officer license for federal firearms disqualification, approved posting driver-license rule amendments for public comment, and confirmed two senior internal appointments.
At its February meeting the Public Safety Commission took several formal actions on contested cases, rule postings and personnel.
General Counsel Phil Atkins asked the commission to adopt the State Office of Administrative Hearings' recommendations as final determinations in agenda items 8(b)(1)—5, which included a mix of fines, license suspensions and a recommendation to revoke a vehicle inspection certificate for alleged fraudulent emissions testing. The commission moved to adopt the ALJ proposals and the motion passed.
On agenda item 8(b)(6), Atkins recommended rejecting an administrative law judge's proposal to grant a commissioned security officer license to Feagin Christopher Connor because the ALJ misapplied California sentencing law and relied on the mistaken view that the prior convictions were punishable by only one year. Atkins said both convictions were charged and pleaded as felonies and therefore Connor remains federally disqualified from firearms possession and ineligible for a commissioned security officer license in Texas. The commission voted to deny the license; Atkins noted the order will be appealable to district court in Travis County.
Chief Sherry Gibson presented proposed rule amendments to 37 TAC sections 15.82—15.85 to reflect a statutory change removing the ability of a disqualified CDL operator to request a hearing. The commission voted to post the proposed rule changes in the Texas Register for public comment.
On personnel matters the commission approved the director's recommendations to appoint Roland Luna as assistant chief of the Regulatory Services Division and Major Adam Kinslow as assistant chief of the Office of Inspector General effective Feb. 1. The commission approved all consent items and scheduled future hearings and meetings (discharge hearings on 04/08/2026 and the next regular meeting on 04/09/2026). The meeting entered executive session under the Texas Open Meetings Act and reconvened before adjourning at 1:32 p.m.
Phil Atkins explained that rejecting an ALJ recommendation on a mistake of law is permitted under statute; commissioners made and seconded motions for each agenda item and each motion passed as called on the record.
