SRC-LBB H.B. 1609 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1609
78R6107 BDH-FBy: Riddle (Ellis, Rodney)
Criminal Justice
5/22/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, an employee of a personal bond office may administer
the personal bond oath required by Article 17.04 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure.  Allowing bond office employees to administer such oaths has
conserved county resources and has expedited courthouse procedures.  H.B.
1609 adds the indigency oath and appointed counsel acknowledgments
required by Articles 26.04(n) and 26.04(o) of the Code of Criminal
Procedure to the types of oaths that may be administered by bond office
employees. 

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.  Reenacts and amends Section 602.002, Government Code, as
amended by Chapters 514 and 986, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular
Session, 2001, as follows: 

Sec. 602.002.  OATH MADE IN TEXAS.  Adds to the situations in which an
employee of a personal bond office would be authorized to administer an
oath.  Makes a conforming change. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.