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.