During the 82nd Texas Legislature, a number of bills were filed and eventually passed with the objective of combating criminal activity in the State of Texas. As criminals have adapted, so must the laws that are designed to control, limit and ultimately punish them for their criminal activities. These types of laws are necessary to maintain what most of us understand to be a civilized society which is dependent on laws that protect each of us from individuals infringing on our person, property or personal safety.

Those bills that passed the 82nd Legislature range from bills that were intended to close existing loopholes to those aimed at accounting for new technologies and tactics. Below are some of those bills:

• SB 844 – Under the law prior to the passage of SB 844 a loophole existed in the Texas Penal Code. Under the Penal Code, an individual commits an offense if that individual were to evade a peace officer attempting to place them under arrest or who escapes from custody after they have been arrested. Additionally, under the Penal Code, a peace officer has the ability to lawfully detain a person based on a reasonable suspicion that the person has committed an offense. However, if the person who is lawfully detained escapes, there is little legal basis for charging that person with an offense of escape from custody or evading if the escape occurs outside the peace officers sight. SB 844 makes it an offense for an individual to escape while they are being lawfully detained.

• HB 1116 – Over time numerous devices have been created to help prevent speeders from being ticketed. The most common device that we are all accustom to is the radar detector which is designed to pick up radar signals out of the air. These radar detectors have become less effective, as law enforcement have become familiarized with how they work. This has spawned the usage of Lidar/radar jamming devices. Unlike traditional radar detectors, the jamming devices emit a radio frequency signal that interferes with the operation of police Lidar/radar by saturating its receiver with noise or false information. These devices have the potential to damage police equipment, as well as prevent the police from not only measuring the speed of the vehicle equipped with the jamming device but also those vehicles around it. HB 1116 makes it illegal to have a radar jamming device in your vehicle.

• SB 1416 – Law enforcement officials in South Texas have been tasked with overcoming a device now being utilized by fleeing suspects. Tire deflation devices are often used by law enforcement officers to end a police chase. Recently individuals being pursued by law enforcement officers have begun throwing down homemade tire deflation devices intended to take out the police cars tires. These devices pose a danger to not only law enforcement but also the general public. With the passage of SB 1416, these devices are now illegal to possess, manufacture, transport, repair or sell.
It is important to note that each of these laws will go into effect on September 1, 2011. Though these laws may not directly impact you, it is important to learn and know about the new laws that were passed by the 82nd Texas Legislature. If you would like to view any of the other legislation that was passed during the 82nd Regular Session and the first called special session, these websites are great resources:

• The Texas Legislature

• The Texas House of Representatives

• The Texas Senate

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).

Calhoun County Republican Party members met on August 1 to discuss fund raising plans and to introduce candidates for the 2012 election.
Republican candidates present were Wade Wilson, candidate for Commissioner Precinct #1; Troy Baxter, candidate for County Sheriff; and Dallas Chambless, who will be running for the U.S. Representative District 27 position.

Speaking in Port Lavaca Thursday, July 28, Lt. General Ricardo Sanchez (Ret.) recalled his personal journey from poverty during his childhood in south Texas through opportunities offered by an education in Texas public schools and colleges to a military career culminating in command of United States forces in Iraq. General Sanchez, now a candidate for the U.S. Senate, told the Calhoun County Democratic Club that the nation must continue policies that “allow us to break the cycle of poverty” such as that he knew in his childhood.

Poco Bueno 2011

Port O’Connor once again doubled, tripled, or maybe quadrupled its size over the past weekend as folks who like to fish and like to see big fish and big boats crowded the docks, stores, restaurants and beach to join in with numerous Poco Bueno participants and their associates as they celebrated the 2011 Poco Bueno Tournament.

Caracol hosted the Poco Bueno parties where the participants and their families and friends gathered each evening. And as usual, The Fishing Center was super crowded with onlookers having fun as they awaited the weighing in of the catches.

There was a bit of disappointment, as only one big Blue Marlin was brought in this year. The 447.5 pound fish was brought in on Jim Harris’ Bella Donna, with Ryan Harris, the winning angler.

The winning Tuna, at 141 pounds, was caught by Legacy; Dolphin, at 48.5 pounds, by Bill Stalker, and Wahoo, 58.5 pounds, by Reel Bounty.

Waiting at the dock with the weighmasters were representatives of Fisherman’s Chapel, who transported the donated marlin and many of the fish brought in by the inshore fisherman to the Chapel grounds where members and friends filleted and packaged to give to those in need.

Poco Bueno photos by Bill Tigrett.

Captain Chris Martin of Bay Flats Lodge in Seadrift was pleased to take part in the recent release of trout into the San Antonio Bay-Matagorda Bay complex. On July 8 and 13, Texas Parks and Wildlife Coastal Hatcheries released 288,925 trout fingerlings into the bay. Bay Flats Lodge guides have been volunteering guides and services to TPW hatcheries for the past two years to catch the brood stock.

This was the first time that the Coastal Hatcheries program has released fingerlings into the San Antonio-Matagorda Bay complex – the beginning of a long term commitment to enhancing the fishery in the area.

Survival rate is variable, based upon several factors: holding capacity of the location, food availability, predators, the handling/stress of the stocking, etc. Handling/stress is the only variable that differentiates hatchery fish from wild fish that are already present in the ecosystem. There is some initial mortality, but once the fingerlings are fully acclimated to the environment, they have just as much chance of surviving as any natural fish.