SRC-JRN S.B. 1255 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1255
By: Wentworth
International Relations, Trade & Technology
4-1-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Article 2.122(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, grants limited
state law enforcement authority to certain special agents of the United
States government.  The limited law enforcement granted includes the
powers of arrest and search and seizure for felony offenses only.  This
bill expands the list of special agents that have the powers of arrest and
search and seizure to include special agents of the Immigration and
Naturalization Service and the United States Department of State, Bureau
of Diplomatic Security. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1255 expands the list of special agents that have the
powers of arrest and search and seizure to include special agents of the
Immigration and Naturalization Service and the United States Department of
State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Article 2.122(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, to provide
that certain persons, including Special Agents of the United States
Customs Service, Special Agents of the Immigration and Naturalization
Service, and Special Agents of the United States Department of State,
Bureau of Diplomatic Security, have the powers of arrest, search and
seizure as to felony offenses only under Texas laws.  Deletes a provision
excluding border patrolmen and custom inspectors from having the powers of
arrest, search and seizure as to felony offenses only under Texas laws. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause
  Effective date: upon passage.