AN ACT
 1-1     relating to mediation in certain criminal cases.
 1-2           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-3           SECTION 1.  Article 26.13, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
 1-4     amended by adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
 1-5           (h)  Notwithstanding this article, a court shall not order
 1-6     the state or any of its prosecuting attorneys to participate in
 1-7     mediation, dispute resolution, arbitration, or other similar
 1-8     procedures in relation to a criminal prosecution unless upon
 1-9     written consent of the state.
1-10           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-11     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-12     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-13     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-14     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
1-15     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
1-16     passage, and it is so enacted.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1125 passed the Senate on
         April 23, 1999, by the following vote:  Yeas 28, Nays 1; and that
         the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 18, 1999, by a
         viva-voce vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1125 passed the House, with
         amendment, on May 13, 1999, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
         Approved:
         _______________________________
                     Date
         _______________________________
                   Governor