Texas House Bill HB1400

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the creation of a public integrity unit in the office of the attorney general to prosecute offenses against public administration, including ethics offenses, and offenses involving insurance fraud.

Impact

The establishment of the Public Integrity Unit is expected to have a significant impact on state laws relating to public administration and ethics regulations. By giving the attorney general's office the authority to prosecute specific cases that may involve public officials or issues of insurance fraud, the bill aims to create a more focused and specialized approach to handling these types of offenses. This could potentially lead to increased prosecutions and enhance the enforcement of ethics laws within the state.

Summary

House Bill 1400 proposes the establishment of a Public Integrity Unit within the office of the attorney general dedicated to prosecuting offenses against public administration and insurance fraud. This bill amends the Government Code and outlines the definitions of related offenses and the authority of the public integrity unit. Its intention is to streamline the prosecution of such offenses and enhance accountability within public offices, thereby serving to uphold public trust in government.

Contention

Critics of the bill might raise concerns regarding the concentration of prosecutorial power within the attorney general's office and the potential implications for local governance. They may argue that such centralization could reduce the collaboration with local district attorneys who traditionally handle such cases. Additionally, there could be apprehension about how this unit will operate independently in investigating and prosecuting alleged offenses, particularly those involving public officials, as it might raise questions about fairness and transparency in the judicial process.