BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

S.B. 1649

By: Watson

Border & Intergovernmental Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Border crime has been a growing concern in Texas for a number of years. Border communities bear a significant financial burden from drug and human trafficking crimes, including the cost of prosecuting individuals accused of those crimes.

 

In response to this situation, the 81st Legislature funded a $4 million grant program for border region district attorneys working on issues related to border crime. The grant is administered through the criminal justice division of the governor’s office. Funding came from the Operators and Chauffeurs License fund.

 

The Border Prosecution Unit was formed from the grant program for border district attorneys.

 

S.B. 1649 amends current law relating to a grant program to support the prosecution of certain crimes.

 

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

 

S.B. 1649 amends Chapter 772, Government code, by adding Section 772.0071, as follows: Sec.772.0071. PROSECUTION OR BORDER CRIME GRANT PROGRAM.

 

S.B. 1649 defines “border crime,” “border region,” “Criminal justice division,” and “eligible prosecuting attorney.”

 

S.B. 1649  requires the criminal justice division in the governor’s office (criminal justice division) to establish and administer a grant program through which an eligible prosecuting attorney or the attorney’s office may apply for a grant to support the prosecution of border crime in a county or counties under the jurisdiction of the attorney.

 

S.B. 1649 requires the criminal justice division to establish: additional eligibility criteria for grant applicants; grant application procedures; guidelines relating to grant amounts; procedures for evaluating grant applications; and procedures for monitoring the use of a grant awarded under the program and ensuring compliance with any conditions of a grant.

 

S.B. 1649 authorizes undedicated and unobligated funds in the operators and chuffeurs license account to be appropriated only to the criminal justice division for the purpose of awarding grants under this section. Exempts the account from the application of Section 403.095 (Use of Dedicated Revenue).

 

S.B. 1649 requires the criminal justice division to include the biennial report required by Section 772.006 (a)(9) (relating to requiring the criminal justice division to submit a biennial report) a detailed reporting of the results and performance of the grant program administered under the section.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2011.