BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 298

By: Hinojosa

Appropriations

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties identify a need for the creation of a general revenue-dedicated account so that the revenue from the licensing fees collected by the Texas Forensic Science Commission is dedicated to the commission. S.B. 298 seeks to address this need by providing for the creation and funding of the Texas Forensic Science Commission operating account.

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. 298 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to establish the Texas Forensic Science Commission operating account as an account in the general revenue fund and to require the commission to deposit fees collected for the issuance or renewal of a forensic analyst license to the credit of the account. The bill restricts the appropriation of money in the account to the commission for the administration and enforcement of statutory provisions relating to the commission.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.