Texas Senate Bill SB777

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 3/26/09
• Voted on by Senate: 4/2/09
• Out of House Committee: 5/21/09

Caption

Relating to statistical information on the prosecution of certain offenses relating to the operating of a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

Impact

The implementation of SB777 is expected to affect state law significantly, particularly in how intoxication-related offenses are documented and prosecuted. By requiring law enforcement agencies and prosecuting attorneys to report specific data, the bill aims to create a standard approach to handling these offenses. This standardized reporting could lead to more effective monitoring of trends in DUI offenses and enhance public safety efforts through informed policymaking.

Summary

SB777 aims to enhance accountability and transparency in the prosecution of offenses related to operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. The bill mandates the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to compile and maintain detailed statistical information concerning various facets of intoxication offenses under Chapter 49 of the Penal Code. This includes data on the number of arrests, charges leading to guilty pleas, trials, convictions, and dismissals. The intent is to provide comprehensive insight into how such cases are handled across Texas.

Contention

Potential points of contention surrounding the bill include concerns over privacy and the administrative burden imposed on law enforcement agencies for tracking and reporting these statistics. There may be debate about the necessity of such detailed data collection and whether it could lead to misuse or misinterpretation. Additionally, questions may arise regarding the costs associated with implementing the required data collection processes across multiple law enforcement agencies.