SRC-TJG C.S.H.B. 1236 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterH.B. 1236 78R8790 GWK-DBy: Hopson (Whitmire) Administration 4-17-2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current law requires that a defendant being transferred from a county jail to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice be accompanied by a pen packet containing certain information about the defendant. Among the items required to be contained in the packet are a copy of the judgment entered against the defendant; any amounts owed for restitution, fines, and court costs; and a written report that states the nature and the seriousness of each offense for which the defendant was convicted. H.B. 1236 requires that a copy of any detainer placed on the defendant be included in the defendant's pen packet. 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 Section 8(a), Article 42.09, Code of Criminal Procedure, to require a county that transfers a defendant to the Texas Department of Criminal (TDCJ) to deliver to the officer designated by the TDCJ a copy of any detainer, issued by an agency of the federal government, that is in the possession of the county and that has been placed on the defendant and a written description of a hold or warrant, issued by any other jurisdiction, that the county is aware of and that has been placed on or issued for the defendant. Makes nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003. Makes application of this Act prospective.