H.B. 1657 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 1657
By: Wohlgemuth
Criminal Jurisprudence
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a person convicted of intoxication manslaughter may be assessed
with concurrent or consecutive sentences if more than one person is killed
in the same criminal episode. However, a person convicted of a single
offense of both intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter arising
out of the same criminal episode, must be punished with concurrent
sentences. House Bill 1657 allows a person who is convicted of multiple
offenses of intoxication assault or intoxication manslaughter or of a
single offense of both violations to be sentenced concurrently or
consecutively.  

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 1657 amends the Penal Code to allow persons who are convicted
of multiple offenses of intoxication assault or intoxication manslaughter
or of a single offense of both violations to be sentenced concurrently or
consecutively.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.