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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to creation of the criminal offense of possessing or |
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smoking tobacco inside or on the grounds of certain state |
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buildings. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 2165, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 2165.010 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2165.010. TOBACCO PROHIBITION INSIDE OR ON GROUNDS OF |
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CERTAIN STATE BUILDINGS; CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) In this section, |
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"state agency" means a department, commission, board, office, or |
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other agency in the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of |
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state government created by the state constitution or a state |
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statute. The term does not include a university system or an |
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institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, |
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Education Code. |
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(b) A person commits an offense if the person is in |
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possession of a burning tobacco product or smokes tobacco inside or |
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on the grounds of a state-owned building in which a state agency's |
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office is located. |
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(c) An offense under Subsection (b) is a Class C misdemeanor |
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punishable by a fine not to exceed $50. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |