TITLE 1.ADMINISTRATION

Part 1. OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Chapter 3. CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION

Subchapter H. CRIME STOPPERS PROGRAM CERTIFICATION

1. CRIME STOPPERS PROGRAM CERTIFICATION

The Crime Stoppers Advisory Council ("Council") adopts the amendment of Subchapter H §3.9000; the addition of Subchapter H §§ 3.9005, 3.9010, and 3.9015; and the repeal of Subchapter H §3.9100 and §3.9200, without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 27, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 4695).

The proposed amendments and additions provide processes and procedures for the certification, decertification, and review of crime stoppers organizations, and the requirements for the submission of annual probation fee and repayment reports.

The adopted amendment to §3.9000 clarifies the requirements that a crime stoppers organization must fulfill to be certified by the Council to receive repayments of rewards under Articles 37.073 and 42.152 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, or payments from a defendant under Article 42.12 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. The authority to determine if a crime stoppers organization is qualified to receive such repayments and payments is granted to the Council by Texas Government Code, §414.011(a). The proposed amendment also clarifies the processes and procedures for certification, and permits the Council to extend the certification period for limited periods of time under specified circumstances.

The adopted addition of §3.9005 establishes processes and procedures for deciding if a crime stoppers organization should be decertified during the certification period. The authority to determine if a crime stoppers organization should be decertified because the organization no longer meets the certification requirements is granted to the Council by Texas Government Code, §414.011(d).

The adopted addition of §3.9010 requires a certified crime stoppers organization to submit an Annual Probation Fee and Repayment Report postmarked no later than January 31 of each year. The proposed addition implements the requirements set forth in Texas Government Code, §414.010(a).

The adopted addition of §3.9015 establishes processes and procedures for the review of certified crime stoppers organizations. The authority to direct the review of certified crime stoppers organizations is granted to the Criminal Justice Division ("CJD") of the Office of the Governor by Texas Government Code, §414.011(b).

The adopted repeal of §3.9100, entitled "Certification", and §3.9200, entitled "Decertification", allows these section numbers to be available if further expansion of the administrative code becomes necessary. The provisions regarding certification are found in §3.9000 and the provisions regarding decertification are found in §3.9005.

No comments were received regarding the amendments, additions, and repeals of these rules.

1 TAC §§3.9000, 3.9005, 3.9010, 3.9015

The amendment of §3.9000, and the addition of §3.9005 and §3.9010, are adopted under the Texas Government Code, Title 4, §414.006, which provides the Council the authority to adopt rules to carry out its functions.

The amendment of §3.9000 implements the Texas Government Code, Title 4, §414.011(a), which requires the Council to certify qualified crime stoppers organizations to receive payments and reward repayments. The addition of §3.9005 implements the Texas Government Code, Title 4, §414.011(d), which authorizes the Council to decertify a crime stoppers organization if it determines that the organization no longer meets the certification requirements. The addition of §3.9010 implements the Texas Government Code, Title 4, §414.010(a), which requires certified crime stoppers organizations to file a detailed report with the Council not later than January 31 of each year.

The addition of §3.9015 is adopted under the Texas Government Code, Title 4, §414.011(c), which authorizes CJD or its designee to draft rules for adoption by the Council relating to the review or audit of certified crime stoppers organizations.

The addition of §3.9015 implements the Texas Government Code, Title 4, §414.011(b), which subjects certified crime stoppers organizations to review or audit of their finances or programs at the direction of CJD or its designee.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the amendment and addition of these rules.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 6, 2003.

TRD-200304784

David Zimmerman

Assistant General Counsel

Office of the Governor

Effective date: August 26, 2003

Proposal publication date: June 27, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-1919


1 TAC §3.9100, §3.9200

The repeal of these rules is adopted under the Texas Government Code, Title 4, §414.006, which provides the Council the authority to adopt rules to carry out its functions.

The repeal of §3.9100 implements the Texas Government Code, Title 4, §414.011(a), which requires the Council to certify qualified crime stoppers organizations to receive payments and reward repayments. The repeal of §3.9200 implements the Texas Government Code, Title 4, §414.011(d), which authorizes the Council to decertify a crime stoppers organization if it determines that the organization no longer meets the certification requirements.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the repeal of these rules.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 6, 2003.

TRD-200304785

David Zimmerman

General Counsel

Office of the Governor

Effective date: August 26, 2003

Proposal publication date: June 27, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-1919