Relating to the information included on an identification card issued to certain retired peace and law enforcement officers.
LowStandard timeline
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) • State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies (Issuers)
01
Compliance Analysis
Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation
Implementation Timeline
Effective Date: September 1, 2025
Compliance Deadline: September 1, 2025 (All cards issued or renewed on or after this date must comply).
Agency Rulemaking: No specific rulemaking is mandated by the bill; however, agencies should monitor TCOLE for potential guidance on standardizing rank abbreviations.
Immediate Action Plan
1.Audit ID Software: Confirm your current card printer software allows for the addition of a new variable data field.
2.Contact Vendors: Initiate template updates with your ID card vendor by July 1, 2025, to ensure readiness before the effective date.
3.Clean Data: Review files of officers pending retirement to ensure "Final Rank" is clearly designated in the Human Resources Information System (HRIS).
4.Update Policy: Revise the department's General Orders regarding retiree identification to explicitly require rank verification prior to issuance.
Operational Changes Required
Contracts
ID System Vendors: Review Master Service Agreements (MSAs) with third-party vendors responsible for ID card software or printing.
Change Orders: Issue change orders immediately to modify card templates. The design must accommodate a new, legible text field for "Rank/Position" without obscuring existing statutory requirements (photo, thumbprint, dates).
Hiring/Training
Verification Protocol: Records division staff must be trained to verify the "Final Rank" against the officer’s final F-5 (Separation of Licensee) report or official personnel file before printing. Reliance on the retiree’s verbal assertion is no longer sufficient for compliance.
Reporting & Record-Keeping
Database Configuration: Internal personnel databases and ID issuance software must be updated to include a dedicated export field for "Rank at Retirement."
Audit Trail: Maintain documentation of the source record used to verify the rank in case the credential's validity is challenged under LEOSA (Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act) protocols.
Fees & Costs
Template Re-design: Expect nominal one-time costs associated with software template reconfiguration by vendors.
No New State Fees: The bill does not impose new state fees for issuance.
Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations
"Rank" vs. "Position": The statute requires "rank or position" but offers no granularity. It is unclear if generic titles (e.g., "Detective") suffice or if specific payroll classifications (e.g., "Sergeant II") are required. Guidance: Until TCOLE clarifies, default to the rank displayed on the officer's badge or official commission at retirement.
Space Constraints & Abbreviations: Long titles (e.g., "Assistant Deputy Chief") may not fit on standard CR-80 cards. Agencies must develop a standardized, internal list of abbreviations to ensure consistency and legibility.
Need Help Understanding Implementation?
Our government affairs experts can walk you through this bill's specific impact on your operations.
Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The bill author has informed the committee that members of the retired law enforcement community have expressed a desire for the identification cards issued to certain honorably retired peace officers or qualified retired law enforcement officers to include the respective officer's position or rank held at the time of retirement. H.B. 3686 seeks to address this issue by requiring such an identification card to include the position or rank held by the officer at the time of the officer's retirement.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
H.B. 3686 amends the Government Code to require the identification card issued to an honorably retired peace officer or a qualified retired law enforcement officer who holds a weapons proficiency certificate under applicable state law to include the position or rank held by the respective officer at the time of the officer's retirement.
Honorable Cole Hefner, Chair, House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3686 by Harless (Relating to the information included on an identification card issued to certain retired peace and law enforcement officers.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
It is assumed that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
302 Office of the Attorney General, 405 Department of Public Safety, 407 Commission on Law Enforcement, 458 Alcoholic Beverage Commission, 696 Department of Criminal Justice, 802 Parks and Wildlife Department
LBB Staff:
JMc, MGol, CSh, KVEL
Related Legislation
Explore more bills from this author and on related topics
HB3686 mandates that all identification cards issued to honorably retired peace officers and qualified retired law enforcement officers must explicitly display the individual's rank or position at the time of retirement. This requirement affects every state agency, municipality, county, and special district (including ISDs and universities) that maintains a law enforcement department and issues retiree credentials. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025 Compliance Deadline: September 1, 2025 (All cards issued or renewed on or after this date must comply).
Q
Who authored HB3686?
HB3686 was authored by Texas Representative Sam Harless during the Regular Session.
Q
When was HB3686 signed into law?
HB3686 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.
Q
Which agencies enforce HB3686?
HB3686 is enforced by Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) and State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies (Issuers).
Q
How urgent is compliance with HB3686?
The compliance urgency for HB3686 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.
Q
What is the cost impact of HB3686?
The cost impact of HB3686 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.
Q
What topics does HB3686 address?
HB3686 addresses topics including fire fighters & police, fire fighters & police--general, law enforcement, state agencies, boards & commissions and identification cards.
Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025
Need Strategic Guidance on This Bill?
Need help with Government Relations, Lobbying, or compliance? JD Key Consulting has the expertise you're looking for.
