By Armbrister S.B. No. 683
75R3445 PEP-F
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to computer and telecommunications offenses; providing
1-3 penalties.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Chapter 33, Penal Code, is amended to read as
1-6 follows:
1-7 CHAPTER 33. COMPUTER CRIMES
1-8 Sec. 33.01. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
1-9 (1) "Access" means to [approach,] instruct,
1-10 communicate with, store data in, retrieve or intercept data from,
1-11 [alter data or computer software in,] or otherwise [make] use [of]
1-12 any resource of a computer, [computer system, or] computer network,
1-13 computer program, or computer system.
1-14 (2) "Aggregate amount" means the amount of:
1-15 (A) any direct or indirect loss incurred by a
1-16 victim, including the value of money, property, or service stolen
1-17 or rendered unrecoverable by the offense; or
1-18 (B) any expenditure required by the victim to
1-19 verify that a computer, computer network, computer program, or
1-20 computer system was not altered, acquired, damaged, deleted, or
1-21 disrupted by the offense. ["Communications common carrier" means a
1-22 person who owns or operates a telephone system in this state that
1-23 includes equipment or facilities for the conveyance, transmission,
1-24 or reception of communications and who receives compensation from
2-1 persons who use that system.]
2-2 (3) "Computer" means a connected, directly
2-3 interoperable or interactive device, piece of equipment, or
2-4 facility that:
2-5 (A) uses a computer program or other
2-6 instructions to perform specific operations, including a [an
2-7 electronic, magnetic, optical, electrochemical, or other high-speed
2-8 data processing device that performs] logical, arithmetic, or
2-9 memory function, with or on computer data or a computer program;
2-10 and
2-11 (B) is able to store, retrieve, alter, or
2-12 communicate the result of the operations to a person, computer,
2-13 computer network, computer program, or computer system [functions
2-14 by the manipulations of electronic or magnetic impulses and
2-15 includes all input, output, processing, storage, or communication
2-16 facilities that are connected or related to the device].
2-17 (4) "Computer network" means the interconnection of
2-18 communication lines with a computer through remote terminals or a
2-19 complex consisting of two or more interconnected computers [or
2-20 computer systems by satellite, microwave, line, or other
2-21 communication medium with the capability to transmit information
2-22 among the computers].
2-23 (5) "Computer program" means a series of internal or
2-24 external [an ordered set of data representing coded] instructions
2-25 communicated in a form acceptable to a computer that directs the
2-26 functioning of a computer, computer network, or computer system in
2-27 a manner designed to provide products or results from the computer,
3-1 computer network, or computer system [or statements that when
3-2 executed by a computer cause the computer to process data or
3-3 perform specific functions].
3-4 (6) ["Computer security system" means the design,
3-5 procedures, or other measures that the person responsible for the
3-6 operation and use of a computer employs to restrict the use of the
3-7 computer to particular persons or uses or that the owner or
3-8 licensee of data stored or maintained by a computer in which the
3-9 owner or licensee is entitled to store or maintain the data employs
3-10 to restrict access to the data.]
3-11 [(7) "Computer services" means the product of the use
3-12 of a computer, the information stored in the computer, or the
3-13 personnel supporting the computer, including computer time, data
3-14 processing, and storage functions.]
3-15 [(8)] "Computer system" means a connected or
3-16 unconnected set of related computer equipment, devices, software,
3-17 or hardware [any combination of a computer or computer network with
3-18 the documentation, computer software, or physical facilities
3-19 supporting the computer or computer network].
3-20 (7) "Device" includes an electronic, magnetic,
3-21 electrochemical, biochemical, hydraulic, optical, or organic object
3-22 that performs input, output, or storage functions by the
3-23 manipulation of an electronic, magnetic, or other impulse.
3-24 [(9) "Computer software" means a set of computer
3-25 programs, procedures, and associated documentation related to the
3-26 operation of a computer, computer system, or computer network.]
3-27 [(10) "Computer virus" means an unwanted computer
4-1 program or other set of instructions inserted into a computer's
4-2 memory, operating system, or program that is specifically
4-3 constructed with the ability to replicate itself or to affect the
4-4 other programs or files in the computer by attaching a copy of the
4-5 unwanted program or other set of instructions to one or more
4-6 computer programs or files.]
4-7 [(11) "Data" means a representation of information,
4-8 knowledge, facts, concepts, or instructions that is being prepared
4-9 or has been prepared in a formalized manner and is intended to be
4-10 stored or processed, is being stored or processed, or has been
4-11 stored or processed in a computer. Data may be embodied in any
4-12 form, including but not limited to computer printouts, magnetic
4-13 storage media, laser storage media, and punchcards, or may be
4-14 stored internally in the memory of the computer.]
4-15 [(12) "Effective consent" includes consent by a person
4-16 legally authorized to act for the owner. Consent is not effective
4-17 if:]
4-18 [(A) induced by deception, as defined by Section
4-19 31.01, or induced by coercion;]
4-20 [(B) given by a person the actor knows is not
4-21 legally authorized to act for the owner;]
4-22 [(C) given by a person who by reason of youth,
4-23 mental disease or defect, or intoxication is known by the actor to
4-24 be unable to make reasonable property dispositions;]
4-25 [(D) given solely to detect the commission of an
4-26 offense; or]
4-27 [(E) used for a purpose other than that for
5-1 which the consent was given.]
5-2 [(13) "Electric utility" has the meaning assigned by
5-3 Subsection (c), Section 3, Public Utility Regulatory Act (Article
5-4 1446c, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes).]
5-5 [(14) "Harm" includes partial or total alteration,
5-6 damage, or erasure of stored data, interruption of computer
5-7 services, introduction of a computer virus, or any other loss,
5-8 disadvantage, or injury that might reasonably be suffered as a
5-9 result of the actor's conduct.]
5-10 [(15) "Owner" means a person who:]
5-11 [(A) has title to the property, possession of
5-12 the property, whether lawful or not, or a greater right to
5-13 possession of the property than the actor;]
5-14 [(B) has the right to restrict access to the
5-15 property; or]
5-16 [(C) is the licensee of data or computer
5-17 software.]
5-18 (8) [(16)] "Property" means any[:]
5-19 [(A)] tangible or intangible item of value,
5-20 [personal property] including:
5-21 (A) intellectual property;
5-22 (B) computer data, instructions, or programs in
5-23 a form that can be read by a machine or by a person;
5-24 (C) financial instruments or information;
5-25 (D) medical information; and
5-26 (E) restricted personal information [a computer,
5-27 computer system, computer network, computer software, or data; or]
6-1 [(B) the use of a computer, computer system,
6-2 computer network, computer software, or data].
6-3 (9) "Service" includes computer time, data processing,
6-4 storage function, computer memory, and the use of:
6-5 (A) a computer, computer network, computer
6-6 program, or computer system; or
6-7 (B) a communication facility connected or
6-8 related to a computer, computer network, or computer system.
6-9 Sec. 33.02. ACCESS TO DEFRAUD. (a) A person commits an
6-10 offense if the person intentionally accesses a computer, computer
6-11 network, computer program, or computer system to obtain money,
6-12 property, or a service by deception.
6-13 (b) In this section, "deception" has the meaning assigned by
6-14 Section 31.01.
6-15 Sec. 33.03. UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS. (a) A person commits an
6-16 offense if the person intentionally and without authorization or by
6-17 exceeding authorization accesses a computer, computer network, or
6-18 computer system to:
6-19 (1) alter, damage, or delete property; or
6-20 (2) use the service of a computer, computer network,
6-21 computer program, or computer system.
6-22 (b) It is presumed that the actor did not have authorization
6-23 or exceeded authorization unless at the time of access:
6-24 (1) the owner, system operator, or other person having
6-25 authority from the owner or system operator granted written or oral
6-26 permission to the actor;
6-27 (2) the accessed computer, computer network, or
7-1 computer system had a preprogrammed access procedure that would
7-2 display a bulletin, command, or other message before access was
7-3 achieved that a reasonable person would believe identified the
7-4 computer, computer network, or computer system as within the public
7-5 domain; or
7-6 (3) the actor achieved access without the use of a set
7-7 of instructions, a code, or a computer program that bypassed,
7-8 defrauded, or otherwise circumvented the preprogrammed access
7-9 procedure for the computer, computer network, or computer system.
7-10 Sec. 33.04. UNAUTHORIZED INSERTION OR ATTACHMENT. A person
7-11 commits an offense if the person intentionally and without
7-12 authorization or by exceeding authorization inserts or attaches or
7-13 knowingly creates the opportunity for an unknowing and unwanted
7-14 insertion or attachment of a set of instructions into a computer,
7-15 computer network, or computer system to:
7-16 (1) alter, damage, delete, or disrupt property; or
7-17 (2) use the service of a computer, computer network,
7-18 or computer system.
7-19 Sec. 33.05. USE OF COMPUTER TO COMMIT OFFENSE. A person
7-20 commits an offense if the person uses a computer, computer network,
7-21 computer program, or computer system to commit a criminal offense.
7-22 Sec. 33.06. PENALTY. (a) Except as provided by Subsection
7-23 (b), an offense under this chapter is punishable according to the
7-24 loss incurred by or expenditure required of the victim of the
7-25 offense as a result of the commission of the offense and is:
7-26 (1) a Class B misdemeanor if the aggregate amount
7-27 involved is less than $500;
8-1 (2) a Class A misdemeanor if:
8-2 (A) the aggregate amount involved is $500 or
8-3 more but less than $1,500; or
8-4 (B) the aggregate amount involved is less than
8-5 $500 and the defendant has been previously convicted of an offense
8-6 under this chapter;
8-7 (3) a state jail felony if:
8-8 (A) the aggregate amount involved is $1,500 or
8-9 more but less than $20,000; or
8-10 (B) the aggregate amount involved is less than
8-11 $1,500 and the defendant has been previously convicted two or more
8-12 times of an offense under this chapter;
8-13 (4) a felony of the third degree if the aggregate
8-14 amount involved is $20,000 or more but less than $100,000;
8-15 (5) a felony of the second degree if the aggregate
8-16 amount involved is $100,000 or more but less than $200,000; or
8-17 (6) a felony of the first degree if the value of the
8-18 aggregate amount involved is $200,000 or more.
8-19 (b) An offense under Section 33.05 is a Class B misdemeanor.
8-20 [BREACH OF COMPUTER SECURITY. (a) A person commits an offense if
8-21 the person knowingly accesses a computer, computer network, or
8-22 computer system without the effective consent of the owner.]
8-23 [(b) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally
8-24 or knowingly gives a password, identifying code, personal
8-25 identification number, debit card number, bank account number, or
8-26 other confidential information about a computer security system to
8-27 another person without the effective consent of the person
9-1 employing the computer security system to restrict access to a
9-2 computer, computer network, computer system, or data.]
9-3 [(c) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor
9-4 unless the actor's intent is to obtain a benefit or defraud or harm
9-5 another, in which event the offense is:]
9-6 [(1) a state jail felony if the value of the benefit
9-7 or the amount of the loss or harm is less than $20,000; or]
9-8 [(2) a felony of the third degree if the value of the
9-9 benefit or the amount of the loss or harm is $20,000 or more.]
9-10 [(d) A person who is subject to prosecution under this
9-11 section and any other section of this code may be prosecuted under
9-12 either or both sections.]
9-13 [Sec. 33.03. DEFENSES. It is an affirmative defense to
9-14 prosecution under Section 33.02 that the actor was an officer,
9-15 employee, or agent of a communications common carrier or electric
9-16 utility and committed the proscribed act or acts in the course of
9-17 employment while engaged in an activity that is a necessary
9-18 incident to the rendition of service or to the protection of the
9-19 rights or property of the communications common carrier or electric
9-20 utility.]
9-21 [Sec. 33.04. ASSISTANCE BY ATTORNEY GENERAL. The attorney
9-22 general, if requested to do so by a prosecuting attorney, may
9-23 assist the prosecuting attorney in the investigation or prosecution
9-24 of an offense under this chapter or of any other offense involving
9-25 the use of a computer.]
9-26 SECTION 2. Title 7, Penal Code, is amended by adding Chapter
9-27 33A to read as follows:
10-1 CHAPTER 33A. TELECOMMUNICATIONS CRIMES
10-2 Sec. 33A.01. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
10-3 (1) "Counterfeit telecommunications access device"
10-4 means a telecommunications access device that is false, fraudulent,
10-5 not issued to a legitimate telecommunications access device
10-6 subscriber account, or otherwise unlawful or invalid.
10-7 (2) "Counterfeit telecommunications device" means a
10-8 telecommunications device that has been altered or programmed alone
10-9 or with another telecommunications device to acquire, intercept,
10-10 receive, or otherwise facilitate the use of a telecommunications
10-11 service without the authority or consent of the telecommunications
10-12 service provider and includes a clone telephone, clone microchip,
10-13 tumbler telephone, tumbler microchip, or wireless scanning device
10-14 capable of acquiring, intercepting, receiving, or otherwise
10-15 facilitating the use of a telecommunications service without
10-16 immediate detection.
10-17 (3) "Deliver" means to actually or constructively
10-18 sell, give, loan, or otherwise transfer a telecommunications
10-19 device, or a counterfeit telecommunications device or any
10-20 telecommunications plans, instructions, or materials, to another
10-21 person.
10-22 (4) "Publish" means to communicate information or make
10-23 information available to another person orally, in writing, or by
10-24 means of telecommunications and includes communicating information
10-25 on a computer bulletin board or similar system.
10-26 (5) "Telecommunications" means the origination,
10-27 emission, transmission, or reception of data, images, signals,
11-1 sounds, or other intelligence or equivalence of intelligence over a
11-2 communications system by any method, including an electronic,
11-3 magnetic, optical, digital, or analog method.
11-4 (6) "Telecommunications access device" means an
11-5 instrument, device, card, plate, code, account number, personal
11-6 identification number, electronic serial number, mobile
11-7 identification number, counterfeit number, or financial transaction
11-8 device that alone or with another telecommunications access device
11-9 can acquire, intercept, provide, receive, use, or otherwise
11-10 facilitate the use of a telecommunications device, counterfeit
11-11 telecommunications device, or telecommunications service.
11-12 (7) "Telecommunications device" means any instrument,
11-13 equipment, machine, or device that facilitates telecommunications
11-14 and includes a computer, computer chip or circuit, telephone,
11-15 pager, personal communications device, transponder, receiver,
11-16 radio, modem, or device that enables use of a modem.
11-17 (8) "Telecommunications service" means the provision,
11-18 facilitation, or generation of telecommunications through the use
11-19 of a telecommunications device or telecommunications access device
11-20 over a telecommunications system.
11-21 (9) "Value of the telecommunications service obtained
11-22 or attempted to be obtained" includes the value of:
11-23 (A) a lawful charge for telecommunications
11-24 service avoided or attempted to be avoided;
11-25 (B) money, property, or telecommunications
11-26 service lost, stolen, or rendered unrecoverable by an offense; and
11-27 (C) an expenditure incurred by a victim to
12-1 verify that a telecommunications device or telecommunications
12-2 access device or telecommunications service was not altered,
12-3 acquired, damaged, or disrupted as a result of an offense.
12-4 Sec. 33A.02. UNAUTHORIZED USE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE.
12-5 (a) A person commits an offense if the person is an officer,
12-6 shareholder, partner, employee, agent, or independent contractor of
12-7 a telecommunications service provider and the person knowingly and
12-8 without authority uses or diverts telecommunications service for
12-9 the person's own benefit or to the benefit of another.
12-10 (b) An offense under this section is:
12-11 (1) a Class B misdemeanor if the value of the
12-12 telecommunications service used or diverted is less than $500;
12-13 (2) a Class A misdemeanor if:
12-14 (A) the value of the telecommunications service
12-15 used or diverted is $500 or more but less than $1,500; or
12-16 (B) the value of the telecommunications service
12-17 used or diverted is less than $500 and the defendant has been
12-18 previously convicted of an offense under this chapter;
12-19 (3) a state jail felony if:
12-20 (A) the value of the telecommunications service
12-21 used or diverted is $1,500 or more but less than $20,000; or
12-22 (B) the value of the telecommunications service
12-23 used or diverted is less than $1,500 and the defendant has been
12-24 previously convicted two or more times of an offense under this
12-25 chapter;
12-26 (4) a felony of the third degree if the value of the
12-27 telecommunications service used or diverted is $20,000 or more but
13-1 less than $100,000;
13-2 (5) a felony of the second degree if the value of the
13-3 telecommunications service used or diverted is $100,000 or more but
13-4 less than $200,000; or
13-5 (6) a felony of the first degree if the value of the
13-6 telecommunications service used or diverted is $200,000 or more.
13-7 (c) When telecommunications service is used or diverted in
13-8 violation of this section pursuant to one scheme or continuing
13-9 course of conduct, whether or not in a single incident, the conduct
13-10 may be considered as one offense and the values of the service used
13-11 or diverted may be aggregated in determining the grade of the
13-12 offense.
13-13 Sec. 33A.03. MANUFACTURE, POSSESSION, OR DELIVERY OF
13-14 UNLAWFUL TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE. (a) A person commits an
13-15 offense if the person manufactures, possesses, delivers, offers to
13-16 deliver, or advertises:
13-17 (1) a counterfeit telecommunications device; or
13-18 (2) a telecommunications device that is intended to be
13-19 used to:
13-20 (A) commit an offense under Section 33A.04; or
13-21 (B) conceal the existence or place of origin or
13-22 destination of a telecommunications service.
13-23 (b) A person commits an offense if the person delivers,
13-24 offers to deliver, or advertises plans, instructions, or materials
13-25 for manufacture of:
13-26 (1) a counterfeit telecommunications device; or
13-27 (2) a telecommunications device that is intended to be
14-1 used to commit an offense under Subsection (a).
14-2 (c) An offense under this section is a felony of the third
14-3 degree.
14-4 Sec. 33A.04. THEFT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE. (a) A
14-5 person commits an offense if the person knowingly obtains or
14-6 attempts to obtain telecommunications service to avoid or cause
14-7 another person to avoid a lawful charge for that service by using:
14-8 (1) a telecommunications access device without the
14-9 authority or consent of the subscriber or lawful holder of the
14-10 device or pursuant to an agreement for an exchange of value with
14-11 the subscriber or lawful holder of the device to allow another
14-12 person to use the device;
14-13 (2) a counterfeit telecommunications access device;
14-14 (3) a telecommunications device or counterfeit
14-15 telecommunications device; or
14-16 (4) a fraudulent or deceptive scheme, pretense,
14-17 method, or conspiracy, or other device or means, including a false,
14-18 altered, or stolen identification.
14-19 (b) An offense under this section is:
14-20 (1) a Class B misdemeanor if the value of the
14-21 telecommunications service obtained or attempted to be obtained is
14-22 less than $500;
14-23 (2) a Class A misdemeanor if:
14-24 (A) the value of the telecommunications service
14-25 obtained or attempted to be obtained is $500 or more but less than
14-26 $1,500; or
14-27 (B) the value of the telecommunications service
15-1 obtained or attempted to be obtained is less than $500 and the
15-2 defendant has been previously convicted of an offense under this
15-3 chapter;
15-4 (3) a state jail felony if:
15-5 (A) the value of the telecommunications service
15-6 obtained or attempted to be obtained is $1,500 or more but less
15-7 than $20,000; or
15-8 (B) the value of the telecommunications service
15-9 obtained or attempted to be obtained is less than $1,500 and the
15-10 defendant has been previously convicted two or more times of an
15-11 offense under this chapter;
15-12 (4) a felony of the third degree if the value of the
15-13 telecommunications service obtained or attempted to be obtained is
15-14 $20,000 or more but less than $100,000;
15-15 (5) a felony of the second degree if the value of the
15-16 telecommunications service obtained or attempted to be obtained is
15-17 $100,000 or more but less than $200,000; or
15-18 (6) a felony of the first degree if the value of the
15-19 telecommunications service obtained or attempted to be obtained is
15-20 $200,000 or more.
15-21 (c) When telecommunications service is obtained or attempted
15-22 to be obtained in violation of this section pursuant to one scheme
15-23 or continuing course of conduct, whether or not in a single
15-24 incident, the conduct may be considered as one offense and the
15-25 values of the service obtained or attempted to be obtained may be
15-26 aggregated in determining the grade of the offense.
15-27 Sec. 33A.05. PUBLICATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS
16-1 DEVICE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person with
16-2 criminal negligence publishes a telecommunications access device or
16-3 counterfeit telecommunications access device that is designed to be
16-4 used to commit an offense under Section 33A.04.
16-5 (b) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, an
16-6 offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. An offense
16-7 under this section is a felony of the third degree if the person
16-8 has been previously convicted of an offense under this chapter.
16-9 SECTION 3. Article 13.25, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
16-10 amended to read as follows:
16-11 Art. 13.25. COMPUTER CRIMES. (a) In this section "access,"
16-12 "computer," "computer network," "computer program," and "computer
16-13 system[,]" [and "owner"] have the meanings assigned to those terms
16-14 by [in] Section 33.01, Penal Code.
16-15 (b) An offense under Chapter 33, Penal Code, may be
16-16 prosecuted in:
16-17 (1) the county of the principal place of business of
16-18 the owner or lessee of a computer, computer network, or computer
16-19 system[, or computer network] involved in the offense [violation];
16-20 (2) any county in which a defendant had control or
16-21 possession of:
16-22 (A) any proceeds of [from] the offense;
16-23 [violation] or
16-24 (B) any books, records, documents, property,
16-25 negotiable instruments, computer programs, or other material [that
16-26 were] used in furtherance of the offense [violation]; or
16-27 (3) any county from which, to which, or through which
17-1 [any] access to a computer, [or] computer network, computer
17-2 program, or computer system was made in violation of Chapter 33,
17-3 whether by wires, electromagnetic waves, microwaves, or any other
17-4 means of communication.
17-5 SECTION 4. Chapter 13, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
17-6 amended by adding Article 13.26 to read as follows:
17-7 Art. 13.26. TELECOMMUNICATIONS CRIMES. An offense under
17-8 Chapter 33A, Penal Code, may be prosecuted in the county in which
17-9 the telecommunications service originated or terminated or in the
17-10 county to which the bill for the telecommunications service was or
17-11 would have been delivered.
17-12 SECTION 5. Article 59.01(2), Code of Criminal Procedure, is
17-13 amended to read as follows:
17-14 (2) "Contraband" means property of any nature,
17-15 including real, personal, tangible, or intangible, that is:
17-16 (A) used in the commission of:
17-17 (i) any first or second degree felony
17-18 under the Penal Code;
17-19 (ii) any felony under Section 38.04 or
17-20 Chapters 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 33A, or 35, Penal Code; or
17-21 (iii) any felony under The Securities Act
17-22 (Article 581-1 et seq., Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes);
17-23 (B) used or intended to be used in the
17-24 commission of:
17-25 (i) any felony under Chapter 481, Health
17-26 and Safety Code (Texas Controlled Substances Act);
17-27 (ii) any felony under Chapter 483, Health
18-1 and Safety Code;
18-2 (iii) a felony under Article 350, Revised
18-3 Statutes;
18-4 (iv) any felony under Chapter 34, Penal
18-5 Code;
18-6 (v) a Class A misdemeanor under Subchapter
18-7 B, Chapter 365, Health and Safety Code, if the defendant has been
18-8 previously convicted twice of an offense under that subchapter; or
18-9 (vi) any felony under The Sale of Checks
18-10 Act (Article 489d, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes);
18-11 (C) the proceeds gained from the commission of a
18-12 felony listed in Paragraph (A) or (B) of this subdivision or a
18-13 crime of violence; or
18-14 (D) acquired with proceeds gained from the
18-15 commission of a felony listed in Paragraph (A) or (B) of this
18-16 subdivision or a crime of violence.
18-17 SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997. The
18-18 changes in law made by this Act apply only to an offense committed
18-19 on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed
18-20 before September 1, 1997, is covered by the law in effect when the
18-21 offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect
18-22 for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense was
18-23 committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of
18-24 the offense occurred before that date.
18-25 SECTION 7. The importance of this legislation and the
18-26 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
18-27 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
19-1 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
19-2 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.