HBA-SEP H.B. 347 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 347
By: Keel
Criminal Jurisprudence
2/19/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Crime Victim's Compensation Act provides for a victim, guardian of a
victim, or close relative of a deceased victim to be compensated for
pecuniary losses, but does not specifically provide compensation for travel
and lodging costs incurred to witness an execution.  House Bill 347
modifies the  definition of "pecuniary loss" to include this compensation.

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 347 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to include in the
definition of "pecuniary loss" reasonable and necessary costs of traveling
to and from a place of execution for the purpose of witnessing the
execution, including one night's lodging near the place at which the
execution is conducted.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.