SRC-JLB S.B. 591 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 591 78R2666 PEP-DBy: Duncan Jurisprudence 2/27/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE A task force, created by the 77th Texas Legislature, studied the issue of competency in criminal proceedings. The task force has recommended changing the make-up of the board of the Texas Council on Offenders with Mental Impairments (TCOMI) to provide for certain expertise. As proposed, S.B. 591 requires that three at-large members of the TCOMI board be licensed psychiatrists or psychologists with expertise in forensics. 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. Amends Section 614.002(b), Health and Safety Code, to require the governor to appoint, with the advice and consent of the senate, certain members to the Texas Council on Offenders with Mental Impairments. SECTION 2. (a) Effective date: September 1, 2003. (b) Makes application of this Act prospective.