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