By: Guillen, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Estes) H.B. No. 1931
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 8, 2013;
May 9, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on
Agriculture, Rural Affairs, and Homeland Security; May 15, 2013,
reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 4, Nays 0;
May 15, 2013, sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to compensation of property owners whose property is
damaged as a result of a pursuit involving a law enforcement agency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 683.015, Transportation Code, is amended
by amending Subsections (d), (f), and (g) and adding Subsection (h)
to read as follows:
(d) A municipality or county may transfer funds in excess of
$1,000 from the account to the municipality's or county's general
revenue account to be used by the law enforcement agency or, if the
vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, or outboard motor was located in a
county with a population of less than 150,000, by the attorney
representing the state.
(f) A law enforcement agency or an attorney representing the
state may use funds transferred under Subsection (d) to compensate
property owners whose property was damaged as a result of a pursuit
involving a [the] law enforcement agency, regardless of whether the
agency would be liable under Chapter 101, Civil Practice and
Remedies Code.
(g) Before a law enforcement agency or an attorney
representing the state may compensate a property owner under
Subsection (f) using funds transferred to a county under Subsection
(d), the sheriff, [or] constable, or attorney representing the
state must submit the proposed payment for compensation for
consideration, and the commissioners court shall consider the
proposed payment for compensation, at the next regularly scheduled
meeting of the commissioners court.
(h) In this section, "attorney representing the state"
means a district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county
attorney performing the duties of a district attorney.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
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