Bill

SB 1464

84(R) - 2015
Senate Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
Senate Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
Immigration

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Eddie Lucio Jr.

Bill Caption

Relating to the creation of the organized crime and criminal activity division within the office of the attorney general.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB 1464, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($1,693,183) through the biennium ending August 31, 2017. 

Bill Analysis

This legislation will amend Government Code section Sec. 402.038 to create an Organized Crime and Criminal Activity Division within the Office of the Attorney General. This department will have the responsibility of providing assistance to local prosecutors in investigating and prosecuting trafficking of persons, identify victims of trafficking of persons and provide comprehensive services to address the needs of those victims, and develop initiatives to provide greater state assistance, support, and coordination among state law enforcement agencies, local law enforcement agencies, and local prosecutors.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This legislation would create a division investigating and prosecuting Organized Crime and Criminal Activity, and would specifically focus in on issues relating to border security. While this bill does call for additional spending to hire 7 full time employees, this legislation will allow for additional coordination and assistance with local governments to address the issues facing their communities regarding criminal activity and organized crime.

Enhancing border security and prosecuting transnational organized crime are clearly legitimate roles for the government to play. It is unclear whether hiring seven new full time state employees is required to accomplish this goal. We remain neutral on this legislation due to the increased size of government which is balanced out by the ability to assist local governments more effectively in dealing with organized crime in the border region.