By Wilson                                            H.C.R. No. 218
       74R13494 CCK-D
                              HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, A study by the Houston Chronicle of Texas driving
    1-2  records and traffic citations finds that minority drivers in and
    1-3  around the state's urban areas are much more likely to be ticketed,
    1-4  proportionate to population levels, than drivers of nonminority
    1-5  race or ethnicity; and
    1-6        WHEREAS, The newspaper's computer analysis, which covered a
    1-7  three-year period from September 1991 to August 1994, found
    1-8  consistent disparities between minority populations and minority
    1-9  ticketing throughout nonminority suburbs of the state's largest
   1-10  cities; and
   1-11        WHEREAS, News articles highlighting the analysis have led to
   1-12  charges by some minority civic leaders of uneven traffic law
   1-13  enforcement and of enclaves where minority drivers are singled out
   1-14  for scrutiny or roadside stops by law enforcement authorities; and
   1-15        WHEREAS, Any real or perceived inequities with regard to the
   1-16  enforcement of traffic laws present a serious problem that must be
   1-17  addressed promptly at the highest levels of state government; now,
   1-18  therefore, be it
   1-19        RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
   1-20  hereby direct the Department of Public Safety to conduct a study of
   1-21  the rate of Texas traffic citations issued to racial and ethnic
   1-22  minorities, including a review of the Houston Chronicle analysis or
   1-23  other reports of discrimination in the enforcement of traffic laws;
   1-24  and, be it further
    2-1        RESOLVED, That the department report its findings to the
    2-2  governor and legislature together with any recommendations relating
    2-3  to the issue.