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.