SECTION 3.9021. Addition of Geographic Territories or Jurisdictions to Certified Organizations

(a) If a geographic territory or jurisdiction wants to join an existing certified crime stoppers organization, the organization must apply for continuing certification, and the following procedures must be followed:

(1) The geographic territory or jurisdiction seeking to join the organization must share contiguous borders with the certified crime stoppers organization;

(2) The certified crime stoppers organization and the geographical entity that is requesting to join the crime stoppers organization must choose a new name for the organization unless both parties agree to operate under the name of the existing organization;

(3) The certified crime stoppers organization must file the following documents with the director of the Council requesting certification under a new name (if applicable) and with an expanded geographic territory or jurisdiction:

(A) United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) letter for a 501(c)(3) corporation authorizing the organization to operate under a new name, if applicable;

(B) Texas Secretary of State letter for a 501(c)(3) corporation authorizing the organization to operate under a new name (if applicable);

(C) Application for Continuing Certification under the new name (if applicable) and with an expanded geographic territory or jurisdiction;

(D) Copy of board of directors membership list for the organization, to include contact information for board members, the law enforcement coordinator, and executive director (if applicable);

(E) The dates and locations that at least one board member (if applicable), the law enforcement coordinator, and an executive director (if applicable) received training as authorized by the Council within the 24-month period preceding the new Application for Continuing Certification;

(F) Copy of the minutes of the board of directors meeting of the certified crime stoppers organization in which the board voted to add the new geographical entity to the territory or jurisdiction served by the crime stoppers organization;

(G) Written documentation from a law enforcement agency serving the geographic territory or jurisdiction showing an interest in joining an existing crime stoppers organization; and

(H) Additional information specified by a vote of the Council for inclusion in the application for continued certification that is necessary for the Council to make the determination for certification required by §414.011(a) of the Texas Government Code or to fulfill its duties under §414.005 of the Texas Government Code. The director of the Council may request further information needed to clarify a question raised in the examination of the materials submitted as part of the application.

(4) If the director of the Council determines that the newly expanded organization meets all requirements listed in paragraphs (1) - (3) of this subsection, the expanded organization will be presented to the Council for determination as to whether the expanded organization meets the requirements for certification at the Council's next regularly scheduled meeting.

(5) Once the Council grants certification, the organization will be eligible to apply to the CSCDs in the newly acquired geographic territory or jurisdiction to receive court fees under the provisions of Articles 37.073 and 42.152 and Chapter 42A, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

(6) The certification is valid for a period of two years.

(b) If a certified or non-certified organization serves the geographic area to which a certified organization is attempting to expand, the expanding organization must send written notice to the Council and to the organization serving the geographic area to which it intends to expand of its intent to serve that area.

Source Note: The provisions of this §3.9021 adopted to be effective June 21, 2009, 34 TexReg 3929; amended to be effective July 11, 2010, 35 TexReg 5803; amended to be effective June 12, 2011, 36 TexReg 3407; amended to be effective March 26, 2020, 45 TexReg 1975