89R16665 MCF-D

By: Lowe H.J.R. No. 162

A JOINT RESOLUTION

proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the attorney general to prosecute a criminal offense committed by a peace officer acting in the course and scope of the officer's official duties.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 22, Article IV, Texas Constitution, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 22. (a) The Attorney General shall represent the State in all suits and pleas in the Supreme Court of the State in which the State may be a party, and shall especially inquire into the charter rights of all private corporations, and from time to time, in the name of the State, take such action in the courts as may be proper and necessary to prevent any private corporation from exercising any power or demanding or collecting any species of taxes, tolls, freight or wharfage not authorized by law. The Attorney General [He] shall, whenever sufficient cause exists, seek a judicial forfeiture of such charters, unless otherwise expressly directed by law, and give legal advice in writing to the Governor and other executive officers, when requested by them, and perform such other duties as may be required by law.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this constitution, the Attorney General shall have concurrent jurisdiction with each county or district attorney of this State to represent this State in the prosecution of a criminal offense committed by a peace officer acting in the course and scope of the officer's official duties.

SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2025. The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the attorney general to prosecute a criminal offense committed by a peace officer acting in the course and scope of the officer's official duties."