Honorable Phil King, Chair, House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB574 by Thompson, Senfronia (Relating to a limitation on the authority to arrest a person for certain misdemeanors punishable by a fine only.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure and Transportation Code to require any misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine only to be issued a citation and prohibit a peace officer from arresting without a warrant for the offense except for public intoxication. The bill allows certain exceptions.
The bill requires the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and each law enforcement agency to adopt a written policy regarding the issuance of citations for misdemeanor offenses punishable by fine only. The policy must provide a procedure for a peace officer to verify the person's identity and issue a citation to a person who fails to present proof of identification.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
407 Commission on Law Enforcement, 405 Department of Public Safety