By Tillery, Wohlgemuth                                 H.B. No. 943
         76R4792 BDH-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to regulation of the use of laser pointers; providing a
 1-3     criminal penalty.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Chapter 42, Penal Code, is amended by adding
 1-6     Section 42.13 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 42.13.  USE OF LASER POINTERS.  (a)  A person commits an
 1-8     offense if the person knowingly directs a light from a laser
 1-9     pointer at a uniformed safety officer, including a peace officer,
1-10     security guard, fire fighter, emergency medical service worker, or
1-11     other uniformed municipal, state, or federal officer.
1-12           (b)  In this section, "laser pointer" means a device that
1-13     emits a visible light amplified by the stimulated emission of
1-14     radiation.
1-15           (c)  An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
1-16           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
1-17           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-18     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-19     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-20     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-21     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.