Money laundering added to Criminal Justice Committee charges

The Lt. Governor is leaking out the Texas Senate's interim charges in dribs and drabs, but the Criminal Justice Committee picked up one recently (pdf) that sounds like it will lead to an interesting and informative hearing: "Review statutes and regulations relating to money laundering to enhance state, federal, and local efforts to combat money laundering and enforce administrative and criminal actions against perpetrators of money laundering." Looking forward to that discussion.

In addition, the Transportation and Homeland Security Committee will: "Examine the impact of border violence and illegal trafficking on the Texas economy, including the infringement on Texas property rights. Make recommendations for enhancing Border security and maximizing federal resources targeted for this purpose."

Relatedly, the Criminal Justice Committee received a charge in conjunction with a "Joint Interim Committee to Study Human Trafficking" to examine services and supports available to sex trafficking victims, "including analysis of the appropriate criminal penalties associated with prostitution." That could be an interesting discussion as well.