SRC-SLL S.B. 143 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 143
By: Harris
Criminal Justice
2-13-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law provides that it is a Class A misdemeanor if a person
is convicted of cruelty to animals.  It is hoped that increasing the
penalty will deter incidents involving cruelty to animals. This bill will
increase the punishment to a third degree felony if the person has
previously been convicted two times of cruelty to animals. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 143 increases the punishment for the offense of cruelty
to animals if a person has been previously convicted twice of cruelty to
animals. 

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 42.09(d), Penal Code, to provide that a person
commits a Class A misdemeanor if the person is cruel to an animal, except
that the person commits a third degree felony if the person has previously
been convicted twice of cruelty to animals. 

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.