H.B. 1609 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 1609
By: Riddle
Criminal Jurisprudence
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, an employee of 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. 

House Bill 1609 will add 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

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1609 amends the Government Code, to provide that the oaths and
acknowledgments required when requesting a determination of indigency and
appointment of counsel under Articles 26.04(n) and 26.04(o), Code of
Criminal Procedure, may be administered by an employee of a personal bond
office.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2003.