DPS backs down from plan to charge agencies for crime lab services

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following a request from the governor of Texas, the Department of Public Safety has withdrawn its plan to charge law enforcement agencies a fee for forensic analysis of evidence.
In a statement Friday, DPS says legislative leadership agreed with Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision. The department says they will continue to provide the services to local agencies at no cost.
The governor asked DPS Director Steven McCraw to retract his July 20 letter, which put local agencies on