MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Wednesday, June 5, 2024

10:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice was held on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Pete Flores, Chair	Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Phil King, Vice Chair	Senator Borris Miles
Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Joan Huffman

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The chair called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM. There being a quorum present at 10:15 AM, the following business was transacted:

The Chair laid out the following Committee charges:

Bail Reform: Examine “charitable bail organizations” that pay bail for defendants, thereby relieving them of any financial incentive to appear in court. Study the operations and funding sources of these organizations. Make recommendations to ensure accountability for “charitable bail organizations” that provide free bond for arrested individuals that re offend while out on bond; further restrict these organizations’ ability to post bail for violent individuals; and promote transparency.

Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice passed by the 88th Legislature, as well as relevant agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction. Specifically, make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, or complete implementation of the following:

Senate Bill 1004, relating to creating the criminal offense of tampering with an electronic monitoring device and to certain consequences on conviction of that offense.

The following individuals provided invited and public testimony (See attached Witness List).

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 11:43 AM Senator King moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Pete Flores, Chair

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Luke Owen, Clerk