BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 356
86R664 CAE-D	By: Lang (Buckingham)
	State Affairs
	5/16/2019
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Concerns have been raised that the authority of certain county attorneys and county commissioners courts to accept gifts and grants to finance or assist the operation of the office of county attorney may lead to conflicts of interest between prosecutors and defendants, such as possible quid pro quo relationships in which prosecutors agree to dismiss cases against defendants in exchange for donations.

HB 356 seeks to avoid such conflicts of interest in Brown County by repealing Section 45.125, Government Code, authorizing the county attorney of Brown County and the Commissioners Court of Brown County to accept gifts and grants for such purposes.

H.B. 356 amends current law relating to the repeal of a statute allowing the county attorney or commissioners court of Brown County to accept gifts or grants to finance or assist the operation of the office of county attorney.

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. Repealer: Section 45.125 (Brown County), Government Code.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019.