BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 631

By: Campbell

Urban Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties explain that current law provides for a municipality with a population of 1.9 million or more to enter into an agreement with another municipality contiguous to that municipality to extend the geographical jurisdiction of municipal courts to include certain fine-only offenses. The parties note that only one city is currently able to benefit from this law, but contend that others, like the City of San Antonio, have expressed interest in such an option as part of an effort to give law enforcement the ability to reallocate valuable resources to other areas in need. S.B. 631 seeks to address this issue.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 631 amends the Government Code to lower from 1.9 million to 1.325 million the minimum population threshold of a municipality that is authorized to enter into an agreement with another municipality contiguous to that municipality to provide concurrent jurisdiction for the municipal courts of either jurisdiction for all criminal cases arising from offenses under state law that are committed on the boundary of those municipalities or within 200 yards of that boundary and that are punishable by fine only.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.