SRC-JJJ S.B. 1580 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 1580 By: West Criminal Justice 4/8/1999 Committee Report (Amended) DIGEST Currently, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Security Threat Division, the Department of Public Safety, and representatives from numerous local law enforcement agencies have been participating in an informal task force created to share information primarily on prison gang members released from prison. The task force has begun to fill a void in the need to address gang activity, especially as regards prison gangs, from a statewide, coordinated perspective; however, the task force typically meets on an average of four times per year, and has no statutory authority, mandates, directives, or funding. S.B. 1580 would establish the Texas Violent Gang Task Force for the purpose of forming a strategic partnership among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to better enable law enforcement agencies to take a proactive stance towards tracking gang activity, and the growth and spread of gangs statewide. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1580 establishes the creation of the Texas Violent Gang Task Force. 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 Chapter 61, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding Article 61.07, as follows: Art. 61.07. TEXAS VIOLENT GANG TASK FORCE. Defines "task force." Provides that the purpose of the Texas Violent Gang Task Force (task force) is to form a strategic partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to better enable law enforcement agencies to take a proactive stance towards tracking gang activity and the growth and spread of gangs statewide. Sets forth requirements in which the task force shall focus its efforts. Authorizes the task force to take any other actions as necessary to accomplish the purposes of this article. Requires the Department of Public Safety to support the task force to assist in coordinating statewide antigang initiatives. Requires the task force to consist of certain representatives from various agencies. SECTION 2. Provides that certain individuals are required to designate their representatives to the task force not later than October 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends Section 61.07, Code of Criminal Procedure, to include three local law enforcement adult or juvenile community supervision personnel and a prosecuting attorney designated by the governor as part of the task force.