By Keel, Hinojosa                                      H.B. No. 234
         76R2134 GWK-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to making certain affidavits required for the issuance of
 1-3     search warrants available for public inspection.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Article 18.01(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, is
 1-6     amended to read as follows:            
 1-7           (b)  No search warrant shall issue for any purpose in this
 1-8     state unless sufficient facts are first presented to satisfy the
 1-9     issuing magistrate that probable cause does in fact exist for its
1-10     issuance.  A sworn affidavit setting forth substantial facts
1-11     establishing probable cause shall be filed in every instance in
1-12     which a search warrant is requested.  The affidavit is public
1-13     information if executed, and the magistrate's clerk shall make a
1-14     copy of the affidavit available for public inspection in the
1-15     clerk's office during  normal business hours.
1-16           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-17     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-18     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-19     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-20     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
1-21     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
1-22     passage, and it is so enacted.