Summary of the 1999 Legislative Session

The 1999 Texas Legislature passed numerous bills to improve public safety. Initiatives aimed at solving the problems of domestic violence, gangs, juvenile justice, sex offenders and drunk driving. Appropriations for fiscal 2000 in the area of public safety and corrections, including law enforcement, amount to more $3.9 billion and authorize funds for operations and salaries of more than 56,000 state employees in 14 state agencies.

Some major agencies in this area were under sunset review in 1999. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and Department of Public Safety (DPS) were reauthorized for 12 years and 10 years, respectively. One important change directed TDCJ to cooperate with other agencies in supervising sexually violent predators.

Legislation designed to reduce domestic violence increased both the punishment for repeat domestic violence and the length of time a protective order can remain in effect.

Another initiative directed the DPS to develop a statewide database to help track gang members. In addition, the Legislature created a violent gang task force, which is composed of state and local units of government, to improve cooperation among law enforcement agencies. The requirements for convicted sex offenders' registration also were expanded.

The Legislature also strengthened the state's Driving While Intoxicated laws. The definition of intoxication as measured by blood alcohol concentration was lowered to the current level of 0.08 from 0.10.

Interim committee charges

Senate Committee on Criminal Justice

• Evaluate the need for additional resources to solve "cold crime" investigations (crimes that have gone unsolved for extended periods of time).
• Review information sharing and cooperation between law enforcement agencies
• Review access to and privacy of criminal records
• Review the need for programs and procedures for violent juvenile offenders under the age of 10.
• Review the statutory purpose for each type of adult and juvenile correctional facility including geriatric care and alternatives to incarceration facilities.
• Monitor correctional capacity needs.
• -Consider whether state jails are adequately managed and effective rehabilitation programs are employed within the correctional system.

The committee also will review reintegration programs for juvenile and adult parolees and make recommendations to reduce recidivism; review the Interstate Probation and Parole Compact and recommend whether Texas should enter into it; review the efforts of the Commission on Jail Standards, the Juvenile Probation Commission, and the Texas Youth Commission; and review the collection of criminal fines, fees, and costs.

Senate Committee on Jurisprudence

• Review Chapter 153 of the Family Code to find ways to better enforce child custody orders and monitor the implementation of SB 368 relating to court-ordered child support.