By: Huffman S.R. No. 705
 
 
SENATE RESOLUTION
         BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, That Senate Rule 12.03 be
  suspended in part as provided by Senate Rule 12.08 to enable the
  conference committee appointed to resolve the differences on
  House Bill 17 (official misconduct by and removal of prosecuting
  attorneys) to consider and take action on the following matters:
         (1)  Senate Rule 12.03(4) is suspended to permit the
  committee to add text on a matter not included in either the house
  or senate version of the bill in proposed SECTION 1 of the bill,
  by adding to the definition of "official misconduct" in added
  Sections 87.011(3)(B) and (C), Local Government Code, a
  prosecuting attorney's adoption or enforcement of a policy
  instructing "law enforcement to refuse to arrest individuals
  suspected of committing a class or type of offense under state
  law".
         Explanation:   The change is necessary to ensure that a
  prosecuting attorney may not avoid committing official
  misconduct, as defined and amended by the bill, by instructing
  law enforcement to refuse to arrest individuals whom the attorney
  is prohibited from refusing to prosecute.
         (2)  Senate Rule 12.03(4) is suspended to permit the
  committee to add text on a matter not included in either the house
  or senate version of the bill by adding the following new SECTION
  to the bill:
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 87, Local Government
  Code, is amended by adding Section 87.0131 to read as follows:
         Sec. 87.0131.  DEFENSE IN CERTAIN CASES.  It is a defense
  in an action alleging a prosecuting attorney committed official
  misconduct described by Section 87.011(3)(C) that the
  prosecuting attorney took action immediately on discovering an
  attorney employed by or otherwise under the direction or control
  of the prosecuting attorney was acting as described by Section
  87.011(3)(C).
         Explanation:  The change is necessary to provide a
  defense in a removal action alleging certain official misconduct
  committed by a prosecuting attorney, if the attorney took
  immediate action on discovering the misconduct was occurring.
 
 
 
 
    _______________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
         I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on May 28, 2023, by the
  following vote:  Yeas 20,
  Nays 11.
   
   
   
    _______________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate