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Local News
Chairman Reggie Smith awarded Legislative Leadership Award from Sheriffs’ Association of Texas
By media release
Jul 28, 2023
Fort Worth, TX – Monday, State Representative Reggie Smith was the recipient of the Legislative Leadership Award by the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas for his work in passing legislation to further aid law enforcement agencies in connecting offenders with decades old unsolved cases. Rep. Smith authored House Bill 3956, which builds on the success of the state's DNA collection and database by making all felony offenses eligible for DNA sampling upon booking.
With the passage of HB 1399 in the 86th session, also authored by Representative Smith, there have been a total of 223,630 offenders who qualify for DNA sample collection. For the past four years, law enforcement agencies have been able to use this tool to connect offenders to violent crimes committed across the state and nation. Expanding DNA collection to all felonies will result in more cases being solved while keeping more violent offenders off of the street.
“I am honored to receive the Legislative Leadership Award by the Sheriffs’ Association and appreciate their support of this important legislation,” said Smith. “I am also very proud to have worked on this issue to ensure that our law enforcement agencies have the necessary tools needed to solve cases and keep our communities safe from violent, repeat offenders.”
State Representative Reggie Smith represents House District 62, which includes
Grayson, Fannin, Delta, and Franklin counties.