BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 786 By: Jones, Jolanda Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The bill author has informed the committee that in large, densely populated counties, justice courts face increasing foot traffic and potential security risks for court personnel, litigants, and the public, as courtrooms can become targets for disturbances or threats, especially when the public has easy access. H.B. 786 seeks to improve security in high-population counties and to ensure public safety while maintaining the integrity of the justice system by requiring the commissioners court of a county with a population of 3.3 million or more to provide a metal detection device to each justice court in the county and assign certain law enforcement personnel to monitor the public entrances of such courts. CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS H.B. 786 amends the Government Code to require the commissioners court of a county with a population of 3.3 million or more to provide to each justice court in the county a metal detection device and a constable, deputy constable, or deputy sheriff for each door of the court open to the public. The bill requires the commissioners court, in complying with this requirement, to first use money in the county's courthouse security fund and, only if necessary, money from the county's general revenue fund. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
# BILL ANALYSIS
H.B. 786
By: Jones, Jolanda
Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
Committee Report (Unamended)
H.B. 786
By: Jones, Jolanda
Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The bill author has informed the committee that in large, densely populated counties, justice courts face increasing foot traffic and potential security risks for court personnel, litigants, and the public, as courtrooms can become targets for disturbances or threats, especially when the public has easy access. H.B. 786 seeks to improve security in high-population counties and to ensure public safety while maintaining the integrity of the justice system by requiring the commissioners court of a county with a population of 3.3 million or more to provide a metal detection device to each justice court in the county and assign certain law enforcement personnel to monitor the public entrances of such courts.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS H.B. 786 amends the Government Code to require the commissioners court of a county with a population of 3.3 million or more to provide to each justice court in the county a metal detection device and a constable, deputy constable, or deputy sheriff for each door of the court open to the public. The bill requires the commissioners court, in complying with this requirement, to first use money in the county's courthouse security fund and, only if necessary, money from the county's general revenue fund.
EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2025.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The bill author has informed the committee that in large, densely populated counties, justice courts face increasing foot traffic and potential security risks for court personnel, litigants, and the public, as courtrooms can become targets for disturbances or threats, especially when the public has easy access. H.B. 786 seeks to improve security in high-population counties and to ensure public safety while maintaining the integrity of the justice system by requiring the commissioners court of a county with a population of 3.3 million or more to provide a metal detection device to each justice court in the county and assign certain law enforcement personnel to monitor the public entrances of such courts.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
H.B. 786 amends the Government Code to require the commissioners court of a county with a population of 3.3 million or more to provide to each justice court in the county a metal detection device and a constable, deputy constable, or deputy sheriff for each door of the court open to the public. The bill requires the commissioners court, in complying with this requirement, to first use money in the county's courthouse security fund and, only if necessary, money from the county's general revenue fund.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2025.