H.B. No. 240




AN ACT

relating to the punishment for criminal mischief committed by 
intentionally introducing infectious diseases into livestock.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 28.03, Penal Code, is amended by adding 
Subsection (i) to read as follows:
	(i)  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.  In this 
subsection, "livestock" has the meaning assigned by Section 
161.001, Agriculture Code.
	SECTION 2.  (a) The change in law made by this Act applies 
only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this 
Act.  For purposes of this section, an offense is committed before 
the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurs 
before the effective date.
	(b)  An offense committed before the effective date of this 
Act is governed by the law in effect when the offense was committed, 
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.                           




______________________________              ______________________________
 
   President of the Senate                               Speaker of the House      

	I certify that H.B. No. 240 was passed by the House on April 
3, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House   

	I certify that H.B. No. 240 was passed by the Senate on May 
28, 2003, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Secretary of the Senate    



APPROVED:  _____________________                                            
 
                   Date                                                      




 
          _____________________                                          
 
                 Governor