SRC-TAG H.B. 559 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 559
78R2362KCR-FBy: Brown, Betty (Deuell)
Criminal Justice
5/22/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current statute a magistrate may dispose of certain property if it
falls into one of the currently listed categories. The magistrate may not
dispose of property in a category not listed in current statute. H.B. 559
expands the list of property which a magistrate may dispose of to include
"obscene device or material." 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Articles 18.18(f) and (g), Code of Criminal Procedure,
as follows: 

(f)  Adds an obscene device or material to the list of items a magistrate
is required to dispose of.  

 (g)  Redefines "obscene device" and "obscene."

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.
            Makes application of this Act prospective.