BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2273

By: Lang

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that the authority of county attorneys and commissioners courts in six counties to accept gifts and grants to finance or assist the operation of the office of county attorney should be eliminated as the authority to accept such gifts and grants could result in conflicts of interest between prosecutors and defendants. H.B. 2273 seeks to bring these six counties in line with other Texas' counties and eliminate such potential conflicts by repealing such authorization.

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

H.B. 2273 repeals Government Code provisions that authorize the county attorneys or commissioners courts of Aransas County, Brown County, Colorado County, Gonzales County, Guadalupe County, and Lavaca County to accept gifts or grants to finance or assist the operation of the office of county attorney.

H.B. 2273 repeals the following provisions of the Government Code:

· Section 45.104(b)

· Section 45.125

· Section 45.145(b)

· Section 45.189(b)

· Section 45.194(b)

· Section 45.243(b)

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.