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.