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.