SRC-JJJ S.B. 650 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 650
By: Carona
Criminal Justice
3/8/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law establishes that a person is intoxicated if the person
has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10.  In 1997, there were 1,066
persons killed in alcohol-related motor vehicle traffic accidents in Texas.
This bill would redefine "intoxicated" as having a blood alcohol
concentration of 0.80 regarding certain offenses involving intoxication. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 650 redefines "intoxicated" for purposes of certain
offenses involving intoxication. 

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 49.01(2), Penal Code, to redefine "intoxicted"
as having an alcohol concentration of 0.08, rather than 0.10, or more. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.