TITLE 37. PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS

PART 15. TEXAS FORENSIC SCIENCE COMMISSION

CHAPTER 651. DNA, CODIS, FORENSIC ANALYSIS, AND CRIME LABORATORIES

SUBCHAPTER C. FORENSIC ANALYST LICENSING PROGRAM

The Texas Forensic Science Commission (Commission) adopts an amendment to §651.207, Forensic Analyst and Forensic Technician Licensing Requirements, Including Initial License Term and Fee, Minimum Education and Coursework, General Forensic Examination, Proficiency Monitoring, and Mandatory Legal and Professional Responsibility Training, to reduce the amount of work experience required for a firearms/toolmarks analyst or technician to obtain a waiver of certain minimum education or specific coursework requirements for licensure without changes to the text as published in the June 12, 2026 issue of the Texas Register (51 TexReg 3870). The rule will not be republished. This adoption reflects feedback from firearms/toolmarks forensic practitioners and laboratory managers in Texas, who indicate that three years of relevant training and experience is sufficient to address any gaps in formal education or coursework and to ensure that applicants possess the necessary knowledge to qualify for licensure as a firearms/toolmarks analyst or technician.

Reasoned Justification for Rule. This adoption is necessary to ensure that the Commission's licensing requirements accurately reflect current training practices and workforce realities within the firearms/toolmarks discipline. The Commission received feedback from firearms/toolmarks forensic practitioners and laboratory managers indicating that three years of relevant training and experience in an accredited laboratory is sufficient to address any gaps in formal education or specific coursework and to ensure competency in the discipline. These stakeholders explained that firearms/toolmarks training programs are comprehensive, highly specialized, and closely supervised, enabling individuals to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills within a three-year period. Reducing the required years of experience in this limited context maintains public safety and professional standards while promoting consistency, fairness, and efficiency in the licensing process. The adoption allows the Commission to continue ensuring that licensed firearms/toolmarks analysts and technicians are qualified and competent, while recognizing equivalent, discipline-specific experience that adequately substitutes for formal education and specific college courses.

Summary of Comments. The public comment period on the rule proposal began on June 12, 2026, and ended on July 14, 2026. The Commission did not receive any comments.

Statutory Authority. The rules are adopted under the Commission's general rulemaking authority provided in Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 38.01 §3-a and its authority to establish the qualifications for a forensic analyst license under §4-a(d).

Cross reference to statute. The adoption affects Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 38.01.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 20, 2026.

TRD-202603655

Leigh Tomlin

Associate General Counsel

Texas Forensic Science Commission

Effective date: September 9, 2026

Proposal publication date: June 12, 2026

For further information, please call: (512) 936-0661

SUBCHAPTER D. PROCEDURE FOR PROCESSING COMPLAINTS AND LABORATORY SELF-DISCLOSURES

37 TAC §651.307

The Texas Forensic Science Commission (Commission) adopts an amendment to §651.307, Investigative Panels, to change the section title from "Investigative Panels" to "Investigative Procedures" to more accurately reflect that investigations may be conducted by either an investigative panel or Commission staff without changes to the text as published in the June 12, 2026, issue of the Texas Register (51 TexReg 3874). The rule will not be republished.

Reasoned Justification for Rule. The Commission adopts an amendment to §651.307 to change the section title from "Investigative Panels" to "Investigative Procedures." The amendment is necessary to accurately reflect the scope of investigative authority provided in the rule, which permits the Commission to conduct investigations either through the appointment of an investigative panel or by directing Commission staff to conduct the investigation. The current section title may lead to confusion because it suggests that investigations may only be conducted by investigative panels. Renaming the section improves clarity and consistency within the rules and ensures the title accurately reflects existing investigative practices authorized by the Commission.