BILL ANALYSIS



C.S.H.B. 1155
By: Telford
March 2, 1995
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND

In 1994, St. Michael's Hospital moved from Texarkana, Arkansas to
Texarkana, Texas.  This left no hospital in Texarkana, Arkansas. 
In the past, when an Arkansas inmate needed medical attention, an
Arkansas peace officer could take them to St. Michael's for
treatment.  Currently, Texas peace officers are required to assist
Arkansas officers in transporting inmates to St. Michael's
Hospital.

PURPOSE

This bill would allow commissioned peace officers of a neighboring
state to have the same powers, duties, and immunities as Texas
peace officers, but only while transporting an inmate from a
neighboring county to and from a hospital in Texas.   

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.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 2, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding
Article 2.124 to give commissioned peace officers of a neighboring
state the same powers as a Texas peace officer, but only while the
peace officer from the neighboring state is transporting an inmate
from a county on one side of the border to a medical facility in a
county on the border between Texas and the neighboring state.

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

Adds language to Section 1 that exempts any foreign national peace
officers from transporting criminal defendants in the United
States.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 1155 was considered by the Committee on Public Safety in a
public hearing on February 21, 1995.  The bill was left pending.  

H.B. 1155 was considered by the Committee on Public Safety in a
public hearing on February 28, 1995.  The committee considered a
complete substitute for the bill. The substitute was adopted
without objection.  

The bill was reported favorably as substituted, with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of
8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 1 absent.