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.