HB4602 - Relating to the establishment of grant programs within the criminal justice division of the Office of the Governor to reduce investigatory and criminal case backlogs.

      By: Johnson H.B. No. 4602       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of grant programs within the criminal   justice division of the Office of the Governor to reduce   investigatory and criminal case backlogs.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 772, Government Code, is   amended by adding Sections 772.00717 and 772.00718 to read as   follows:           Sec.   772.00717.     FORENSIC SCIENCE IMPROVEMENT GRANT   PROGRAM. (a) In this section:                 (1)     "Accredited crime laboratory" has the meaning   assigned by Section 420.003.                   (2)     "Criminal justice division" means the criminal   justice division established under Section 772.006.                 (3)     "Grant program" means the forensic science   improvement grant program established under this section.           (b)     The criminal justice division shall establish and   administer a grant program to provide funding for the purpose of   improving the timeliness of forensic testing and medical examiner   services and reducing the backlog of untested forensic evidence in   the possession, custody, or control of a medical examiner, coroner,   or accredited crime laboratory.           (c)     The criminal justice division may award a grant under   the grant program to an eligible medical examiner, coroner, or   accredited crime laboratory to be used only for:                 (1)     testing by an accredited crime laboratory of   evidence that was collected in relation to a criminal offense; or                 (2)  medical examiner or coroner services.           (d)  The criminal justice division:                 (1)     may establish additional eligibility criteria for   grant applicants; and                 (2)  shall establish:                       (A)  grant application procedures;                       (B)  guidelines relating to grant amounts;                       (C)     criteria for evaluating grant applications   which prioritize applicants with the largest backlogs in testing   and examinations; and                       (D)     procedures for monitoring the use of a grant   awarded under the grant program and ensuring compliance with any   conditions of a grant.           (e)     The criminal justice division shall include in the   biennial report required by Section 772.006(a)(9) detailed   reporting of the results and performance of the grant program.           (f)     The criminal justice division may use any available   funds to implement this section.           Sec.   772.00718.     INTERJURISDICTIONAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION   GRANT PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In this section:                 (1)     "Criminal justice division" means the criminal   justice division established under Section 772.006.                 (2)     "Interjurisdictional criminal investigation"   means a criminal investigation conducted by two or more law   enforcement agencies serving more than one political subdivision.                 (3)  "Law enforcement agency" means:                       (A)  the police department of a municipality;                       (B)  the sheriff's office of a county; or                       (C)  a constable's office of a county.                 (4)     "Pilot program" means the interjurisdictional   criminal investigation grant pilot program established under this   section.           (b)     From money appropriated or otherwise available for the   purpose, the criminal justice division shall establish and   administer a pilot program to provide funding to eligible law   enforcement agencies to reduce criminal case backlogs.           (c)     The criminal justice division may award a grant under   the pilot program to an eligible law enforcement agency to be used   for:                 (1)     facilitating interjurisdictional criminal   investigations between law enforcement agencies operating in   jurisdictions with a population of 400,000 or more;                 (2)     improving the interjurisdictional exchange of   information relating to criminal investigations between law   enforcement agencies; or                 (3)     enhancing the compatibility between record   management systems operated by law enforcement agencies and   attorneys representing the state.           (d)  The criminal justice division:                 (1)     may establish additional eligibility criteria for   grant applicants; and                 (2)  shall establish:                       (A)  grant application procedures;                         (B)  guidelines relating to grant amounts;                       (C)     criteria for evaluating grant applications;   and                       (D)     procedures for monitoring the use of a grant   awarded under the pilot program and ensuring compliance with any   conditions of a grant.           (e)     Not later than September 1, 2026, the criminal justice   division shall prepare and submit a report on the pilot program   under this section to the Legislative Budget Board and the standing   committees of the house of representatives and the senate with   primary jurisdiction over criminal justice matters.   The report   must include:                 (1)     an evaluation of the results and effectiveness of   the pilot program; and                 (2)     any recommendations for legislative or other   action.           (f)     The pilot program is abolished and this section expires   September 1, 2027.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.