BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2130

By: Rios Ybarra

Criminal Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Under current law, the Texas Rangers are authorized to aid local law enforcement agencies in the investigation of sex crimes alleged to have been committed by a county or local elected official.

H.B. 2130 authorizes an attorney representing the state to request assistance from the Texas Rangers in investigating an elected official of a political subdivision who is alleged to have committed an offense that would subject the official to registration as a sex offender.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2130 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to authorize an attorney representing the state to request the Texas Rangers division of the Department of Public Safety to provide assistance to a local law enforcement agency investigating an offense that is alleged to have been committed by an elected officer of the political subdivision served by the local law enforcement agency and, that on conviction or adjudication, would subject the elected officer to registration as a sex offender under the sex offender registration program. The bill includes in the definition of "assistance" investigative, technical, and administrative assistance.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.