AN ACT 1-1 relating to the use of videoconferencing technology by the office 1-2 of the attorney general. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 402, Government Code, is 1-5 amended by adding Section 402.0213 to read as follows: 1-6 Sec. 402.0213. APPEARANCE THROUGH VIDEOCONFERENCING 1-7 TECHNOLOGY. (a) The office of the attorney general may use 1-8 videoconferencing technology: 1-9 (1) as a substitute for personal appearances in civil 1-10 and criminal proceedings, as approved by the court; and 1-11 (2) for any proceeding, conference, or training 1-12 conducted by an employee of the office of the attorney general 1-13 whose duties include the implementation of Chapter 56, Code of 1-14 Criminal Procedure, and Chapter 57, Family Code. 1-15 (b) In this section, "videoconferencing technology" means 1-16 technology that provides for a conference of individuals in 1-17 different locations, connected by electronic means, through audio, 1-18 video, or both. 1-19 (c) The attorney general shall obtain the approval of the 1-20 appropriate authority overseeing a proceeding under Subsection 1-21 (a)(2) before using videoconferencing technology under this 1-22 section. 1-23 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997. 2-1 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-2 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-3 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-4 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-5 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1385 passed the Senate on April 18, 1997, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1385 passed the House on May 16, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: _______________________________ Date _______________________________ Governor