Bill Caption

Relating to the creation of a commission to review certain penal laws of this state.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

The bill would create a commission to study and review all penal laws of this state other than certain criminal offenses. The bill would require the commission to make recommendations to the Legislature regarding the repeal of certain laws that are identified as being unnecessary, unclear, duplicative, overly broad, or otherwise insufficient to serve the intended purpose of the law.  The bill would require the commission to report findings to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Supreme Court of Texas, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, and the standing committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate with primary jurisdiction over criminal justice by November 1, 2016. 

The bill would expire and abolish the commission on December 31, 2016.

Vote Recommendation Notes

A careful read-though of the criminal code is a necessary function of efficient government. We support HB 2565 as an exercise of our Limited Government principle.