SRC-JXG H.B. 2879 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2879 76R9870 KEL-DBy: Chavez (Shapleigh) Criminal Justice 5/11/1999 Engrossed DIGEST A number of individuals prey on persons seeking unlawful entry into the United States by transporting them into the country through Texas for profit. In some cases, those being transported are forced into dangerous conditions that can lead to death. H.B. 2879 would create a state jail felony for transporting a person for a pecuniary benefit in such a way as to hide the person from government law enforcement and putting the person in danger of serious bodily injury. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 2879 creates a state jail felony for transporting an individual for a pecuniary benefit under certain conditions. 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 Chapter 20, Penal Code, by adding Section 20.05, as follows: Sec. 20.05. UNLAWFUL TRANSPORT. Provides that a person commits an offense if the person for pecuniary benefit transports an individual in a manner that is designed to conceal the individual from local, state, or federal law enforcement authorities, and creates a substantial likelihood that the individual will suffer serious bodily injury. Provides that an offense under this section is a state jail felony. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.