SRC-JLB H.B. 240 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 240
78R15 BDH-DBy: Miller (Fraser)
Subcommittee on Agriculture
5/2/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current law does not contain a specific provision penalizing agricultural
terrorism.  H.B 240 makes it a first degree felony to introduce mad cow
disease, foot-and-mouth disease, and several other debilitating diseases
into livestock. 

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 28.03, Penal Code, by adding Subsection (i), to
provide that notwithstanding Subsection (b), an offense under this section
is a felony of the first degree if the property is livestock and the
damage is caused by introducing bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly
known as mad cow disease, or a disease described by Section 161.041(a),
Agriculture Code.  Defines "livestock." 

SECTION 2.  (a)-(b) Make application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.