84R9092 MK-D
 
  By: King of Parker H.B. No. 1690
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the prosecution of offenses against public
  administration, including ethics offenses.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 41, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter F to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER F.  PUBLIC INTEGRITY PROSECUTIONS
         Sec. 41.351.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Offense" means a prohibited act for which state
  law imposes a criminal or civil penalty.
               (2)  "Prosecute" means represent the state to impose a
  criminal or civil penalty.
         Sec. 41.352.  OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION.  For
  purposes of this subchapter, the following are offenses against
  public administration:
               (1)  an offense under Title 8, Penal Code, committed by
  a state officer or a state employee in connection with the powers
  and duties of the state office or state employment;
               (2)  an offense under Chapter 301, 302, 305, 571, 572,
  or 2004;
               (3)  an offense under Chapter 573 committed by a state
  officer in connection with the powers and duties of the state
  office; and
               (4)  an offense under Title 15, Election Code,
  committed in connection with:
                     (A)  a campaign for or the holding of state
  office; or
                     (B)  an election on a proposed constitutional
  amendment.
         Sec. 41.353.  SPECIAL PROSECUTOR FOR PUBLIC INTEGRITY
  OFFENSES. (a) The chief justice of the supreme court shall appoint
  a special prosecutor for public integrity offenses.
         (b)  In any district or county court of appropriate
  jurisdiction and venue, the special prosecutor for public integrity
  offenses has the authority to prosecute a person for an offense
  against public administration. 
         (c)  The supreme court shall provide funds for use by the
  special prosecutor for public integrity offenses to pay costs
  incurred as a result of the prosecution of an offense under this
  subchapter.
         (d)  The special prosecutor for public integrity offenses
  serves for a two-year term. 
         (e)  The supreme court may adopt rules governing the
  operations of the special prosecutor for public integrity offenses.
         Sec. 41.354.  COOPERATION OF STATE AGENCIES AND LOCAL LAW
  ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.  (a)  To the extent allowed by law, a state
  agency or local law enforcement agency shall cooperate with the
  special prosecutor for public integrity offenses prosecuting an
  offense against public administration by providing information
  requested by the special prosecutor as necessary to carry out the
  purposes of this subchapter.
         (b)  Information disclosed under this section is
  confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552.
         Sec. 41.355.  CONFLICT OF INTEREST. In the event of an
  investigation of an offense against public administration
  involving a person who is a member of the executive branch, the
  special prosecutor for public integrity offenses may use
  investigators other than officers of the Texas Rangers if the
  special prosecutor believes that an investigation conducted by the
  officers of the Texas Rangers would be a conflict of interest. 
         SECTION 2.  Sections 301.027(b) and (c), Government Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  If the president of the senate or speaker receives a
  report or statement of facts as provided by Subsection (a), the
  president of the senate or speaker shall certify the statement of
  facts to the special prosecutor for public integrity offenses under
  Subchapter F, Chapter 41, [Travis County district attorney] under
  the seal of the senate or house of representatives, as appropriate.
         (c)  The special prosecutor for public integrity offenses
  [Travis County district attorney] shall bring the matter before the
  grand jury for action. If the grand jury returns an indictment, the
  special prosecutor [district attorney] shall prosecute the
  indictment.
         SECTION 3.  Section 411.022, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  An officer of the Texas Rangers has the authority to
  investigate offenses against public administration prosecuted
  under Subchapter F, Chapter 41.
         SECTION 4.  Subchapter F, Chapter 41, Government Code, as
  added by this Act, applies only to the prosecution of an offense
  against public administration committed on or after September 1,
  2015.  For purposes of this section, an offense is committed before
  September 1, 2015, if any element of the offense occurs before that
  date.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.