HBA-EDN H.B. 3664 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3664 By: Thompson Judicial Affairs 6/14/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prior to the 77th Legislature, the jurisdiction and duties of criminal law hearing officers in Harris County for Class A and Class B misdemeanors was limited to performing post arrest magistrate duties. Expanding the jurisdiction of these officers to include the enforcement of judgments in criminal cases may reduce the time between arrest and appearance before a judicial officer, reduce unnecessary incarceration, increase the collection of restitution, fines, and costs from those offenders able to pay, and provide a speedy release mechanism for indigent offenders. House Bill 3664 expands the jurisdiction and duties of criminal law hearing officers in Harris County to include the enforcement of judgments in criminal cases. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 3664 amends the Government Code to authorize a criminal law hearing officer in Harris County to enforce judgments and orders of the county's criminal courts at law in criminal cases. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.