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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a criminal justice policy impact statement attached to |
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certain bills or resolutions. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 314, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Section 314.005 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 314.005. CRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICY IMPACT STATEMENT. |
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(a) The board shall prepare a criminal justice policy impact |
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statement for each bill or resolution that authorizes or requires a |
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change in the sanctions applicable to adults convicted of a felony. |
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(b) The impact statement must include information |
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concerning: |
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(1) the estimated number of criminal cases each year |
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that the legislation will impact; |
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(2) the fiscal impact of imprisoning or imposing other |
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sanctions on persons in accordance with the legislation; |
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(3) the impact of the legislation on major racial and |
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ethnic minority groups; |
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(4) the impact of the legislation on existing |
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correctional facilities, as defined by Section 1.07, Penal Code; |
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(5) the likelihood that the legislation may create a |
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need for additional prison capacity; and |
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(6) any other matter the board determines relevant. |
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(c) The board shall consult with the Department of Public |
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Safety and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to develop a |
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protocol for analyzing the impact of the bill or resolution on |
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racial and ethnic minority groups. |
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(d) The impact statement must be attached to the bill or |
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resolution immediately following the fiscal note attached under |
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Section 314.003. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |