SRC-TNM S.B. 80 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 80 By: Ellis Criminal Justice 1-29-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, a county criminal court is not authorized to hear felony cases or upgrade a Class A misdemeanor to a third degree felony without removing the case from their jurisdiction. S.B. 80 increases the punishment for offenses motivated by bias or prejudice by one degree unless it is a Class A misdemeanor or a first degree felony. If the offense is a Class A misdemeanor, the mandatory minimum term of confinement is increased to 180 days. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 80 increases the prosecution of and punishment for an offense motivated by bias or prejudice. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 12.47, Penal Code, to provide that the punishment for an offense other than a first degree felony or a Class A misdemeanor is increased to the punishment prescribed for the next highest category of offense, if the court makes an affirmative finding under Article 42.014, Code of Criminal Procedure. Provides that the minimum term of confinement for the offense is increased to 180 days, if the offense is a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that this section does not apply to the trial of an offense of injury to a disabled individual under Section 22.04, if the affirmative finding in the case under Article 42.014, Code of Criminal Procedure, shows that the defendant intentionally selected the victim because the victim is disabled. SECTION 2. Amends Article 42.014, Code of Criminal Procedure, to require a court to make an affirmative finding and enter the finding in the judgment of the case, in the punishment phase of the trial of an offense under Title 5 (offenses against the person) or Section 28.02 or 28.03, Penal Code, if the court determines beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant intentionally selected the person against whom the offense was committed or intentionally selected property damaged as a result of the offense because of race, color, disability, religion, national origin or ancestry, or sexual orientation of the person against whom the offense was committed or the owner or occupant of the property. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 5. Emergency clause.