HBA-BSM, SEP H.B. 1848 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1848
By: Keel
Criminal Jurisprudence
3/18/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Previous legislation limits the persons who may contract with a bail bond
surety to secure the return of a fugitive.  Literally interpreted, the
language would prohibit a bail bond surety or his employees from securing
the appearance of their own clients.  House Bill 1848 clarifies the law to
authorize sureties and their employees to secure the appearance of a
fugitive. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1848 amends the Occupations Code to provide that a person
commits a state jail felony if the person contracts with a bail bond surety
to secure the appearance of a person who has jumped bail or failed to
appear unless the person is a peace officer, is an individual licensed as a
private investigator or the manager of a licensed investigations company,
is a commissioned security officer employed by a licensed guard company, is
a full-time employee of the bail bond surety, or has an ownership interest
in the bail bond surety.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.