BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1124

By: Hinojosa

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that the Texas Forensic Science Commission, which is charged with the critical task of improving the integrity and reliability of forensic science used in criminal courts, is currently administratively attached to Sam Houston State University. These parties contend that the commission currently functions as an independent agency and would be better served administratively attached to the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System. S.B. 1124 seeks to provide for this attachment.

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. 1124 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to transfer the administrative attachment of the Texas Forensic Science Commission from Sam Houston State University to the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System (OCA). The bill requires Sam Houston State University and OCA, as soon as practicable after the bill's effective date, to adopt a memorandum of understanding to provide for the transfer of the administrative attachment of the Texas Forensic Science Commission to the office, including any necessary transfer of employees, records, equipment, and supplies. The bill requires the memorandum of understanding to provide for the transfer to be completed not later than December 1, 2017.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.