By Reyna of Bexar H.B. No. 1796 76R7292 GWK-F A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to a feasibility study on the possible implementation of 1-3 sentencing guidelines for the Texas criminal justice system. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Chapter 493, Government Code, is amended by 1-6 adding Section 493.023 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 493.023. FEASIBILITY STUDY: SENTENCING GUIDELINES. (a) 1-8 The department shall conduct a study regarding the feasibility of 1-9 adopting and implementing sentencing guidelines in the Texas 1-10 criminal justice system that are similar to sentencing guidelines 1-11 used in the federal criminal justice system. The study should 1-12 contain recommendations relating to the procedures for adopting 1-13 guidelines and identify those portions of the federal sentencing 1-14 guidelines that would be particularly appropriate for use in this 1-15 state. 1-16 (b) The department, not later than November 1, 2000, shall 1-17 provide copies of the report to the governor, lieutenant governor, 1-18 speaker of the house of representatives, chairman of the house 1-19 criminal jurisprudence committee, and chairman of the senate 1-20 criminal justice committee. The department shall provide with each 1-21 copy of the report a draft of proposed legislation for the 1-22 implementation of sentencing guidelines in this state. 1-23 (c) This section expires January 1, 2001. 1-24 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the 2-1 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-2 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-3 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-4 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-5 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-6 passage, and it is so enacted.