BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 144

                                                                                                                                            By: Farrar

Criminal Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This is community based legislation originating in relation to the offense of burglary of motor vehicles reportedly occurring in many urban areas in the state. Many people have had their vehicles repeatedly burglarized by individuals who have used this crime as a form of income. Currently, the offense is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor yet the enforced penalty is not strong enough to discourage offenders from continuing this behavior. For this reason, a second conviction of burglary of a motor vehicle would require the penalty of state felony jail time and act as a deterrent to the future commission of this crime.

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 144 amends the Penal Code to read that a second conviction of burglary of a motor vehicle result in state felony jail time.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2005.