S.B. No. 414
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to conducting by electronic means a hearing to determine a
  defendant's ability to discharge certain fines and court costs.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Article 43.03, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
         (f)  For purposes of a hearing described by Subsection (d), a
  defendant may be brought before the court in person or by means of
  an electronic broadcast system through which an image of the
  defendant is presented to the court. For purposes of this
  subsection, "electronic broadcast system" means a two-way
  electronic communication of image and sound between the defendant
  and the court and includes secure Internet videoconferencing.
         SECTION 2.  Article 45.046, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  For purposes of a hearing described by Subsection (a), a
  defendant may be brought before the court in person or by means of
  an electronic broadcast system through which an image of the
  defendant is presented to the court. For purposes of this
  subsection, "electronic broadcast system" means a two-way
  electronic communication of image and sound between the defendant
  and the court and includes secure Internet videoconferencing.
         SECTION 3.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a hearing held under Article 43.03 or 45.046, Code of Criminal
  Procedure, on or after the effective date of this Act. A hearing
  held under Article 43.03 or 45.046, Code of Criminal Procedure,
  before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in
  effect at the time of the hearing, and the former law is continued
  in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 414 passed the Senate on
  May 7, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 414 passed the House on
  May 26, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0, one present
  not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor