By Rangel H.B. No. 1263
74R4458 GWK-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the disposition of forfeited criminal contraband.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Article 59.06(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, is
1-5 amended to read as follows:
1-6 (b) If a local agreement exists between the attorney
1-7 representing the state and law enforcement agencies, the attorney
1-8 representing the state may transfer the property to law enforcement
1-9 agencies to maintain, repair, use, and operate the property for
1-10 official purposes if the property is free of any interest of an
1-11 interest holder. The agency receiving the forfeited property may
1-12 purchase the interest of an interest holder so that the property
1-13 can be released for use by the agency. The agency receiving the
1-14 forfeited property may maintain, repair, use, and operate the
1-15 property with money appropriated for current operations. If the
1-16 property is a motor vehicle subject to registration under the motor
1-17 vehicle registration laws of this state, the agency receiving the
1-18 forfeited vehicle is considered to be the purchaser and the
1-19 certificate of title shall issue to the agency. The agency at any
1-20 time may transfer the property to a municipal or county <law
1-21 enforcement> agency for the use of that agency.
1-22 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the
1-23 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-24 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-1 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-2 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
2-3 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
2-4 passage, and it is so enacted.