Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 1480	House Author:  Cyrier
Effective:  9-1-21	Senate Sponsor:  Kolkhorst

            House Bill 1480 amends the Agriculture Code to create an offense for a person who intentionally causes the loss of an animal or crop from an animal or crop facility without the consent of the owner or operator of the facility; damages, vandalizes, or steals any property on or from a facility; breaks and enters into a facility with the intent to destroy or alter records, data, materials, equipment, animals, or crops; or enters or remains on an animal or crop facility with the intent to commit a prohibited act. The bill establishes penalties for the offense ranging from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor depending on the value of the property lost. Conduct that causes a loss in an amount less than $500 is excluded from the application of the offense. The bill provides for mandatory restitution by a convicted defendant to the owner or operator of the facility and authorizes an action for injunctive relief by a facility owner or operator against a person who engages or threatens to engage in conduct that constitutes an offense created by the bill.