The bill, S.B. No. 860, proposes the abolition of the Criminal Justice Legislative Oversight Committee by repealing Chapter 328 of the Government Code. In addition to this repeal, the bill amends existing sections of the Government Code to remove references to the now-defunct committee. Specifically, it modifies Section 493.027(b) to require the director to submit an annual report to each standing committee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over the department, instead of the Criminal Justice Legislative Oversight Committee. Similarly, Section 508.1445(a) is amended to direct the board to submit its annual report to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house, and the presiding officers of the relevant standing committees, eliminating the requirement to report to the oversight committee.

The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025. This legislative change reflects a shift in oversight responsibilities and aims to streamline the reporting process within the Texas criminal justice system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 493.027, Government Code 508.1445 (Government Code 493, Government Code 508)