BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 157

                                                                                                                                          By: Seliger

Criminal Justice

6/4/2007

Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current statute does not explicitly include certain crimes related to reckless driving and deadly conduct as compensable under the Crime Victims' Compensation Act. The Texas Office of the Attorney General is authorized to rule reckless driving and deadly conduct as compensable under the crime of aggravated assault, as it relates to the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund. 

S.B. 157 includes the specific crimes of passing an authorized emergency vehicle, reckless driving, and deadly conduct in the definition of "criminally injurious conduct," making victims of such crimes eligible for compensation from the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund, rather than ruling those victims as compensable under "aggravated assault."

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 56.32(a)(4), Code of Criminal Procedure, to redefine "criminally injurious conduct."

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2007.