SRC-DPW H.B. 1121 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1121
By: Counts (Duncan)
Criminal Justice
4/27/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law does not include investigators of a district
attorney's, criminal district attorney's, or county attorney's office in
the definition of a "law enforcement officer."  It has been cited that such
investigators require inclusion in the definition of a "law enforcement
officer" in order to fulfill their assignments.  This bill would include
such investigators in the definition of a "law enforcement officer" and
revise the law enforcement authority of certain investigators acting
outside their county of jurisdiction. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1121 revises the law enforcement authority of certain
investigators acting outside their county of jurisdiction. 

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 Section 362.001(2), Local Government Code, to redefine
"law enforcement officer." 

SECTION 2. Amends Article 14.03(g), Code of Criminal Procedure, to
authorize a person listed in Subdivision (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5),
Article 2.12, who is licensed under Chapter 415, Government Code, to arrest
a person who commits an offense in the presence of the officer, except that
an officer who is outside the officer's jurisdiction may arrest a person
for a violation of Title 7C, Transportation Code (Rules of the road),
rather than Article 6701d, V.T.C.S. (the Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on
Highways), only if the officer is listed in Subdivision (4), Article 2.12. 

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.