SRC-TAG S.B. 1932 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1932
By: Ogden
Criminal Justice
5/5/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The district attorney position in Trinity County is currently vacant.  As
proposed, S.B. 1932 allows an attorney from the Prison Prosecution Unit,
located in Huntsville (Walker County), who assists counties with cases,
including those involving prison units, to fill the vacant position of
district attorney until the next election. 

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 Article 2.07, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding
Subsection (a-1), as follows: 

(a-1)  Requires an attorney in the Prison Prosecution Unit, in any
instance where there is no district attorney due to a vacancy in the
office in a county that has a population of less than 14,000 and borders
the county in which the Prison Prosecution Unit is located, to perform the
duties of the office until the vacancy is filled by appointment by the
governor or by the voters at the next general election if the governor
does not appoint an attorney before the election.  Provides that this
subsection expires February 1, 2005. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.