Governor Abbott vetoes SB 815 (86R)
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 14, of the Texas Constitution, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove of and veto Senate Bill No. 815 as passed by the Eighty-Sixth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, because of the following objections:
The law requires that arrested individuals be brought before a magistrate to be informed about the charges against them and to receive important warnings about their rights. Records must be made of these communications, and while a statute currently fixes the periods for which courts must retain the records, Senate Bill 815 would instead have delegated to an agency the discretion to set—and change—the retention periods. Administrative flexibility is not a virtue in this instance. The Legislature should be the one to provide clear direction on this issue.
Since the Eighty-Sixth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, by its adjournment has prevented the return of this bill, I am filing these objections in the office of the Secretary of State and giving notice thereof by this public proclamation according to the aforementioned constitutional provision.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have signed my name officially and caused the Seal of the State to be affixed hereto at Austin, this 15th day of June, 2019.
GREG ABBOTT
Governor