87R8792 JCG-D
By: Davis H.B. No. 3065
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a commission to study the terminology of
the penal laws and the justice system of this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. COMMISSION TO STUDY TERMINOLOGY OF PENAL LAWS
AND JUSTICE SYSTEM OF THIS STATE. (a) A commission is created to
study and review the terminology used in the penal laws and the
justice system of this state, including the use of the words
"crime," "criminal," "police," "police officer," and other similar
terms.
(b) The commission shall:
(1) consider the use of terminology described by
Subsection (a) of this section and evaluate whether the use of that
terminology has a negative impact on the involvement of persons in
the justice system of this state; and
(2) make recommendations to the legislature regarding
any changes in terminology described by Subsection (a) of this
section that may help to reduce the involvement of persons in the
justice system of this state.
(c) The commission is composed of one representative from
each of the following entities, appointed by the administrative
head of that entity:
(1) the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement;
(2) the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;
(3) the Caruth Police Institute located at the
University of North Texas at Dallas;
(4) the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas
Retiree Association; and
(5) the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management
Institute of Texas located at Sam Houston State University.
(d) The entities making appointments under Subsection (c)
of this section shall, to the greatest extent practicable, ensure
that the composition of the commission reflects the racial and
ethnic composition of the state.
(e) The members shall designate one member of the commission
to serve as the presiding officer of the commission and another
member of the commission to serve as the assistant presiding
officer of the commission.
(f) A member of the commission is not entitled to
compensation or reimbursement of expenses.
(g) The commission shall meet at the call of the presiding
officer.
(h) As reasonable and necessary for the commission to
fulfill the commission's duties under this Act:
(1) The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement shall
provide administrative support to the commission; and
(2) Prairie View A&M University shall provide research
assistance to the commission.
(i) Not later than November 1, 2022, the commission shall
report the commission's findings and recommendations to the
governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, and the standing committees of the house of
representatives and the senate with primary jurisdiction over
criminal justice matters. The commission shall include in its
recommendations any specific statutes that the commission
recommends revising or repealing.
SECTION 2. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS. Not later than the 60th
day after the effective date of this Act, the entities making
appointments under Section 1(c) of this Act shall appoint the
members of the commission created under this Act.
SECTION 3. ABOLITION OF COMMISSION. The commission is
abolished and this Act expires December 31, 2022.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2021.