H.B. 616 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 616
By: Keel
Criminal Jurisprudence
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Terroristic threat is currently categorized as a misdemeanor, unless the
threat is made with intent to impair or interrupt public utilities or
public transportation, in which event it is a felony of the third degree.
In situations where terroristic threat is made with intent to interrupt
the occupation or use of a building, church, or transportation conveyance,
the punishment is a Class A misdemeanor, no matter the economic loss to
the victim.  In some situations, a bomb threat to a business can cause the
evacuation and abandonment of a building for several hours, and in such
case the economic loss to the business can total into the tens of
thousands of dollars. House Bill 616 would attach a monetary measure to
the crime, so that where the victim's losses total more than $1,500.00,
the offense would be classified as a state jail felony.  

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

House Bill 616 amends the Penal Code to attach a monetary measure to the
offense of issuing a terroristic threat with the intent to interrupt the
occupation or use of a building, church, or transportation conveyance, so
that where the victim's losses total more than $1,500.00, the offense
would be classified as a state jail felony.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.