81R8538 GCB-D

By: Davis of Dallas H.B. No. 1812

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an interim study concerning certain drug- and alcohol-related matters.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. DRUG AND ALCOHOL AWARENESS STUDY COMMITTEE. (a) An interim committee is created to study laws and rules relating to drug- and alcohol-related offenses, drug and alcohol awareness, and treatment for drug and alcohol dependency, to study drug trafficking and related violence, and to recommend methods to decrease the incidence of drug and alcohol abuse in the state. The committee's study must include an examination of:

(1) state agencies that are involved in:

(A) efforts to reduce alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents and offenses in the state;

(B) programs to reduce alcohol dependence, including education and treatment services; and

(C) initiating and implementing alcohol awareness campaigns to reduce alcohol abuse;

(2) the feasibility of creating a separate state agency to oversee regulation of alcohol dependency and alcohol awareness programs and services and to administer alcohol-related laws;

(3) the fiscal implications of creating a separate state agency described by Subdivision (2);

(4) whether state and federal drug laws and policies have decreased the use, availability, or trafficking of drugs;

(5) the limitations of state and federal drug laws and policies in decreasing the use, availability, or trafficking of drugs;

(6) the incidence of violence related to the use or trafficking of drugs;

(7) the effect that violence related to the use or trafficking of drugs has on rural, urban, and border communities;

(8) the use and availability of drugs in facilities operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the Texas Youth Commission;

(9) the feasibility of alternative policies to criminal punishment for reducing the use, availability, or trafficking of drugs; and

(10) the availability of substance abuse recovery programs.

(b) The committee consists of the following 11 members:

(1) four members appointed by the lieutenant governor, two of whom must be senators and two of whom must be members of the public;

(2) four members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, two of whom must be representatives and two of whom must be members of the public; and

(3) three members appointed by the governor, each of whom must be a member of the public and one of whom the governor shall appoint to serve as the committee's presiding officer.

(c) The committee shall convene at the call of the presiding officer.

(d) The committee has all other powers and duties provided to a special or select committee by the rules of the senate and house of representatives, by Subchapter B, Chapter 301, Government Code, and by policies of the senate and house committees on administration.

(e) From the contingent expense fund of the senate and the contingent expense fund of the house of representatives equally, the members of the committee are entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of this Act in accordance with the rules of the senate and house of representatives and the policies of the senate and house committees on administration.

(f) Not later than January 15, 2011, the committee shall report the committee's findings and recommendations to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the governor. The committee shall include in its recommendations specific statutory and rule changes that appear necessary from the results of the committee's study under Subsection (a).

(g) Not later than the 60th day after the effective date of this Act, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the governor shall appoint the members of the interim committee created under this section.

SECTION 2. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2011.

SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.