Capital Highlights
by ED STERLING
A Nov. 22 interim hearing of the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence focused on DNA testing, a subject drawn to the fore after the recent exoneration of an Austin-area man after he served 25 years in prison on a murder sentence.
Under the direction of Chairman Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, the committee heard invited testimony. Topics of discussion included testing technology, the integrity of evidence testing, testing centers and crime labs, the practicality of not destroying but retaining and storing evidence, and the cost of testing.
Also discussed were wrongful convictions, exonerations, the death penalty and criminal laws, all of which may be affected by changing technology in DNA testing and the handling of DNA evidence.
Lawmaker pleads in felony
State Rep. Joe Driver, R-Garland, has pleaded guilty to abuse of official capacity, a third-degree felony. First elected to the Texas House in 1992, Driver earlier said he would not run for reelection next November.
Driver’s pleading was made public Nov. 22 by Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg, who said Driver is accused of converting more than $20,000 of state travel reimbursement funds, intended for his campaign office holder account, by depositing those funds into his personal account.
Sentencing is set for Dec. 19 in an Austin state district court. Under Texas law, the Travis County district attorney’s Public Integrity Unit is responsible for criminal investigations of state and federal officials.
Lehmberg recommended a sentence of five years deferred adjudication probation, a $5,000 fine and any treatment and counseling as recommended by the probation department.
Rainwater harvesting: input sought
With all eyes trained on the drought, two House bills and one Senate bill passed earlier this year by the 82nd Texas Legislature require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to develop rules for the installation and maintenance of rainwater harvesting systems.
If built, these would be hooked up to public drinking water supply systems.
Public input is part of the rulemaking process. Texans who are interested in an opportunity to provide informal comments to staff prior to the formal rulemaking process may attend a rule stakeholder meeting on Dec. 6 at the TCEQ headquarters in Austin. More information is available at www.tceq.state.tx.us.
Ed Sterling works for the Texas Press Association and follows the Legislature for the association.
