Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1195 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	85R12612 JSC-D
2	2	By: Garcia S.B. No. 1195
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5	5	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
6	6	AN ACT
7	7	relating to studies and reports on the prosecution of criminal
8	8	cases involving abusable synthetic substances.
9	9	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
10	10	SECTION 1. STUDY. (a) In this section:
11	11	(1) "Abusable synthetic substance" has the meaning
12	12	assigned by Section 484.001, Health and Safety Code.
13	13	(2) "Department" means the Department of Public
14	14	Safety.
15	15	(b) The department shall conduct a study regarding the
16	16	prosecution of criminal cases involving abusable synthetic
17	17	substances.
18	18	(c) The study under this section must address:
19	19	(1) best practices in the prosecution of criminal
20	20	cases involving abusable synthetic substances; and
21	21	(2) the necessity of and funding for expert witnesses
22	22	in investigations and prosecutions of criminal cases involving
23	23	abusable synthetic substances.
24	24	(d) The department shall compile a report of the results of
25	25	the study, including any legislative recommendations, and submit
26	26	the report to the legislature not later than January 1, 2019.
27	27	SECTION 2. JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEE. (a) In this section,
28	28	"abusable synthetic substance" has the meaning assigned by Section
29	29	484.001, Health and Safety Code.
30	30	(b) A joint interim committee is created to study, review,
31	31	and report on the prosecution of criminal cases involving abusable
32	32	synthetic substances.
33	33	(c) The joint interim committee shall be composed of three
34	34	senators appointed by the lieutenant governor and three members of
35	35	the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house
36	36	of representatives.
37	37	(d) The lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of
38	38	representatives shall each designate a co-chair from among the
39	39	joint interim committee members.
40	40	(e) The joint interim committee shall convene at the joint
41	41	call of the co-chairs.
42	42	(f) The joint interim committee has all other powers and
43	43	duties provided to a special or select committee by the rules of the
44	44	senate and house of representatives, by Subchapter B, Chapter 301,
45	45	Government Code, and by policies of the senate and house committees
46	46	on administration.
47	47	(g) The joint interim committee shall evaluate:
48	48	(1) the cost and efficacy of various methods to
49	49	analyze abusable synthetic substances and test persons for the use
50	50	of abusable synthetic substances;
51	51	(2) public outreach and marketing campaigns that have
52	52	the potential to reduce use of abusable synthetic substances; and
53	53	(3) the availability and cost of appropriate treatment
54	54	for individuals who use abusable synthetic substances.
55	55	(h) The joint interim committee shall prepare a report of
56	56	the findings of the committee that includes any proposed reforms.
57	57	The committee shall submit the report to the legislature not later
58	58	than January 1, 2019.
59	59	(i) Not later than the 60th day after the effective date of
60	60	this Act, the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of
61	61	representatives shall appoint the members of the joint interim
62	62	committee in accordance with this section.
63	63	(j) The joint interim committee created under this section
64	64	is abolished January 2, 2019.
65	65	SECTION 3. EXPIRATION. This Act expires January 2, 2019.
66	66	SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
67	67	immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
68	68	elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
69	69	Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
70	70	immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2017.