BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1264
85R5870 JTS-F	By: Burkett; Button (Huffines)
	Criminal Justice
	5/9/2017
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Though it is not located within its city limits, Lake Ray Hubbard is owned by the City of Dallas and is only connected to the city by the I-30 corridor. Since the bridges that cross this lake are miles away from Dallas, traffic enforcement has become a concern and has resulted in potentially unsafe conditions and reduced mobility.

 

Given the distance, the City of Rowlett has assumed responsibility for first responder services such as police, fire, and ambulance services. However, Rowlett Police are unable to enforce Class C traffic violations without filing citations in Dallas municipal courts. This bill enables Rowlett and Dallas to better align their resources by providing for concurrent jurisdiction of the municipal courts of these cities for offenses that occur on the lake bridges.

 

H.B. 1264 amends current law relating to the concurrent jurisdiction of certain municipal courts in certain criminal cases punishable by fine only.

 

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 Article 4.14(f), Code of Criminal Procedure, to authorize a certain municipality to enter into an agreement providing 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 in one or both of certain areas, including �within 2.25 miles of that boundary on a segment of highway in the state highway system that traverses a major water supply reservoir. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

 

SECTION 2. Amends Article 13.045, Code of Criminal Procedures, to authorize an offense punishable by fine only that is committed on or near the boundary, rather than on the boundary or within 200 yards of the boundary, of certain municipalities to be prosecuted in either of those municipalities as provided in the agreement.

 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 29.003(h), Government Code, to authorize a certain municipality to enter into an agreement providing 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 in one or both of certain areas, including �within 2.25 miles of that boundary on a segment of highway in the state highway system that traverses a major water supply reservoir. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

 

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2017.