H.B. 240 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 240 By: Miller Agriculture & Livestock Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law does not contain a specific provision penalizing agriculture terrorism, leaving one of our state's most valuable commodities at great risk. House Bill 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 It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS SECTION 1.Section 28.03, Penal Code, is amended by adding Subsection (i) to increase the offense of introducing bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) or a disease described by Section 161.041(a), Agriculture Code, into livestock a felony of the first degree. SECTION 2.Makes application of this act prospective. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003.