HBA-KMH H.B. 657 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 657
By: Keel
Criminal Jurisprudence
1/25/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law provides numerous rights for a victim, guardian of a victim, or
close relative of a deceased victim, including the right to be informed of
the process of an investigation and the right to certain monetary relief
under the Crime Victim's Compensation Act.  These statues do not provide
for compensation to these persons for costs incurred in witnessing an
execution.  H.B. 657 allows eligible persons under the Crime Victim's
Compensation Act to also file for compensation for reasonable travel and
lodging costs incurred to witness an execution. 

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. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Article 56.32(a)(9) (Definitions), Code of Criminal
Procedure, by adding Paragraph (H) which includes 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, to the definition of pecuniary loss.
Makes a conforming change. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.