C.S.H.B. 3377 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 3377
By: Rangel
Border and International Affairs
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 


The Sarita Federal Checkpoint is located in Kennedy County. With the ever
growing traffic on U.S. Highway 77, this checkpoint now generates many
forfeiture cases. Kenedy County has around 500 residents and minimal court
resources. Allowing cases to be heard in other counties could ease the
burden on Kenedy County Courts caused by the presence of the checkpoint.
C.S.H.B. 3377 would allow certain cases to be held in an adjacent county
under certain circumstances.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3377 amends the Criminal Procedure Code to provide that  if
property is seized at a federal checkpoint, that the forfeiture case may
be held in either the county where the property was seized or in an
adjacent county with the consent of the owner, operator or agent in charge
of the property. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute amends the original by making corrective non-substantive
changes.