By Ogden                                               S.B. No. 194
         76R3718 KEL-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the creation of a complex crime unit within the
 1-3     Department of Public Safety.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by
 1-6     adding Subchapter I to read as follows:
 1-7                      SUBCHAPTER I.  COMPLEX CRIME UNIT
 1-8           Sec. 411.251.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter:
 1-9                 (1)  "Attorney representing the state" means a district
1-10     attorney, criminal district attorney, or county attorney performing
1-11     the duties of a district attorney.
1-12                 (2)  "Complex crime" means a criminal offense:
1-13                       (A)  in which funds or property of any department
1-14     or agency of the state are stolen or misapplied; and
1-15                       (B)  the investigation of which requires a level
1-16     of expertise in disciplines such as accounting, computer
1-17     technology, or law that is not readily available to local law
1-18     enforcement agencies.
1-19           Sec. 411.252.  COMPLEX CRIME UNIT.  (a)  The complex crime
1-20     unit is an investigatory unit within the department.
1-21           (b)  The director shall employ commissioned peace officers
1-22     and noncommissioned employees to perform duties required of the
1-23     unit.
1-24           (c)  To be eligible for employment under this section, a
 2-1     peace officer must have not less than four years of experience as a
 2-2     peace officer and:
 2-3                 (1)  a degree from an accredited institution of higher
 2-4     education in law, accounting, or computer science; or
 2-5                 (2)  two or more years of experience in the
 2-6     investigation of complex criminal offenses or similar offenses.
 2-7           (d)  To be eligible for employment under this section, a
 2-8     noncommissioned employee must meet the experience, training, and
 2-9     educational qualifications set by the director as requirements for
2-10     investigating or assisting in the investigation of a complex crime.
2-11           Sec. 411.253.  ASSISTANCE ON REQUEST.  (a)  On the request of
2-12     an attorney representing the state and with the approval of the
2-13     director, the complex crime unit of the department may assist local
2-14     law enforcement in the investigation of crime.
2-15           (b)  On the request of the governor and with the approval of
2-16     the director, the complex crime unit of the department may
2-17     investigate a crime involving harm to the interests of a state
2-18     agency.
2-19           Sec. 411.254.  COOPERATION.  (a)  The director and the state
2-20     auditor shall cooperate in investigating complex crimes and
2-21     enforcing and administering laws involving complex crimes.
2-22           (b)  The director and the state auditor shall adopt a
2-23     memorandum of understanding that establishes the responsibilities
2-24     of the department and the office of the state auditor in
2-25     investigating, enforcing, or administering laws involving complex
2-26     crimes.
2-27           (c)  The memorandum of understanding must facilitate the
 3-1     sharing of information involving complex crimes and permit the
 3-2     office of the state auditor access to the criminal justice
 3-3     information necessary for the auditor to carry out the duties
 3-4     described by the memorandum.
 3-5           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
 3-6           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
 3-7     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
 3-8     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
 3-9     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
3-10     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.