SRC-JBJ S.B. 923 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 923
77R2673 ATP-DBy: Staples
Criminal Justice
3/11/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas is experiencing the proliferation of a certain type of
crime affecting retailers where fraudulent universal product code (UPC)
labels are used for unscrupulous gain.  As proposed, S.B. 923 amends the
definition of "writing" found in the section of the Penal Code concerning
offenses against property so that it is a Class A misdemeanor for any
person to  destroy, remove, conceal, alter, substitute or otherwise impair
a UPC label with the intent to defraud or harm another. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 32.47(b), Penal Code, to redefine "writing" to
include universal product codes. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.