HBA-EDN H.B. 3664 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3664
By: Thompson
Judicial Affairs
4/10/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the jurisdiction and duties of criminal law hearing
officers in Harris County for Class A and Class B misdemeanors is limited
to performing post arrest magistrate duties.  Expanding the jurisdiction of
these officers to include the enforcement of judgments in criminal cases
may reduce the time between arrest and appearance before a judicial
officer, reduce unnecessary incarceration, increase the collection of
restitution, fines, and costs from those offenders able to pay, and provide
a speedy release mechanism for indigent offenders.  House Bill 3664 expands
the jurisdiction and duties of criminal law hearing officers in Harris
County to include the enforcement of judgments in criminal cases. 

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 3664 amends the Government Code to authorize a criminal law
hearing officer in Harris County to enforce judgments and orders of the
county's criminal courts at law in criminal cases. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.