SRC-JXG H.B. 2879 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterH.B. 2879
By: Chavez (Shapleigh)
Criminal Justice
5/13/1999
Committee Report (Amended)


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 or death. 

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 or death.  Provides that an
offense under this section is a state jail felony. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.