Senate Action Would Extend
Statute of Limitations For Some Injury Cases

AUSTIN - The Senate voted on Thursday, February 8, to extend the statute of limitations in cases involving injury to a child, an elderly or disabled person.

Currently, Texas law limits the time in which these felony cases can be prosecuted to three years. Senate Bill (SB) 328 would extend the time to ten years. SB 328 will go to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The Senate also formally recognized several groups during Thursday's session, including residents of the Texas town of West, which is also the home of the "Official Kolache of the Texas Senate." Waco Sen. David Sibley sponsored the measure, Senate Resolution 210, proclaiming February 8, 2001, "West Day at the State Capitol."

Following the session, Lt. Governor Bill Ratliff spoke to reporters, who were mainly interested in the Texas budget for the 2001-2003 biennium, which is being worked out by the Senate Finance Committee chaired by Houston Sen. Rodney Ellis.

"It's a little early to start fretting about it yet," Ratliff said. "We've still got a lot of number crunching and budget scrubbing to do before we get too excited."

Ratliff chaired the Finance Committee from 1997 until he was elected by the Senate to succeed Rick Perry as Lieutenant Governor in December.

The Senate stands adjourned until 1 p.m. Monday, February 12.

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