The Texas State Senate – 87th Senate Committee on Criminal Justice

Senate Committee on Criminal Justice

Committees · Hearings and Events · Committee Archives · Notice of Assistance · Legislature Online · Committee Assignments (PDF)

» Video/Audio · Interim Charges

NOTE: This is archived committee information from the 87th Legislative Session.

Committee Information

CHAIR
John Whitmire

VICE-CHAIR
Joan Huffman

MEMBERS
Paul Bettencourt
Brian Birdwell
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
Borris L. Miles
Robert Nichols

TEL:
(512) 463-0345

LOCATION:
Sam Houston Building, 470

Schedule, Minutes, Witness List and Bills Referred to Committee (via TLO)

Video/Audio — Archives

87th Session Interim

December 9, 2022
May 26, 2022 — Road Meeting in Houston, TX; audio only.

87th Third Called Session

September 20, 2021

87th Regular Session

May 21, 2021 (Part I, Part II)
May 18, 2021 (Part I, Part II)
May 12, 2021
May 4, 2021
April 27, 2021 — Audio only
April 20, 2021
April 13, 2021
April 8, 2021
March 30, 2021 (Part I, Part II)

Interim Charges

Re-entry Programs for Inmates: Review current offender re-entry programs provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and county jails, and identify barriers to their success. Make recommendations to enhance successful programs to ensure adequate resources and support for released offenders.
Criminal Case Backlogs: Evaluate the current backlog of criminal cases. Consider and recommend ways to reduce delays and ensure timely resolution of cases, including an examination of methods developed by district attorneys, judges, and court administrators.
Illegal Temporary License Plates: Examine and report on the relationship of the unlawful sale and use of temporary paper license plates with crimes related to human trafficking, drug trafficking, theft, and homicide.
Automobile Parts Theft (Including Catalytic Converters): Review the effect of House Bill 4110 (87th Legislature), relating to the registration of metal recycling, and related catalytic converter theft legislation passed by the 87th Legislature. Determine what actions are needed to aid law enforcement and stop catalytic converter theft and its related violence.
Public Safety: Examine the recent Harris County release from custody of hundreds of criminal defendants onto the streets without bond or review by a magistrate. Identify what caused this threat to public safety in Harris County and determine if it has occurred in any other counties in Texas. Make recommendations to ensure criminal defendants are timely brought before a magistrate for probable cause hearings and bond hearings, and that appropriate bond is set.