Rep. Debbie Riddle
The Public Integrity Unit could move from the Travis County District Attorney’s Office to the Office of the Attorney General, under proposed legislation filed to day by Rep. Debbie Riddle (R-Spring). HJR 69 and HB 776 would give the OAG statewide authority to prosecute both civil and criminal offenses involving public administration, insurance fraud, and motor fuels tax fraud. Venue for prosecutions would be located in the county in which the defendant resides. Last session, Governor Perry vetoed funding for the PIU, and incoming Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has indicated that he opposes restoring funding to the PIU if it is located in Travis County. The House appropriations bill, released by the Speaker’s Office yesterday, includes funding for the PIU. TCJL will look closely at the policy implications of giving broad prosecutorial authority to the OAG, particularly if that authority could be contracted to another attorney representing the state (as the proposed legislation would allow).
