SRC-DPW S.B. 999 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 999
By: Wentworth
Criminal Justice
4/27/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law establishes a search warrant affidavit as public
record upon execution of the warrant.  Due to a lack of specificity
regarding where the records are to be made available, some counties have
failed to make the records available for review.  This bill would require
magistrates' clerks to make copies of affidavits available for public
inspection in clerks' offices. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 999 requires  magistrates' clerks to make copies of
affidavits available for public inspection in clerks' offices. 

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 18.01(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, to require
magistrates' clerks to make copies of affidavits available for public
inspection in clerks' offices during normal business hours. Effective date:
90 days after adjournment.