GEC H.B. 2940 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
H.B. 2940
By: McCall
4-16-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Current Texas Law is antiquated in that computers are absent from the
definition of a "business machine".  Police departments have had to
respond to a rise in theft in the area of high tech equipment such as
computers.  This legislation will simply update a law written before the
widespread commercial and personal use of computers thus allowing law
enforcement officers to facilitate the recovery of stolen merchandise.. 


PURPOSE

To update the definition of "business machine" to include computers or
peripheral devices of computers. 


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 Definition of business machine is updated to include computers
and peripheral   devices of a computer. 

Section 2 Changes in law made to this act apply on or after the effective
date of this act. 

Section 3 Effective Date

Section 4 Emergency Clause