BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                       H.B. 126

80R797 KCR-D                                                                                          By: Delisi et al. (Seliger)

                                                                                                                                   Criminal Justice

                                                                                                                                            4/28/2007

                                                                                                                                           Engrossed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Texas law provides penalties for various offenses that are enhanced by one level of severity if the offense was found to have been committed as part of an organized criminal activity. Although forgery is a crime for which the penalty may be enhanced, the crime of tampering with governmental records is not.

 

H.B. 126 adds tampering with governmental records as an offense for which the enhanced penalty could be sought if the offense was committed as part of an organized criminal activity.

 

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 71.02(a), Penal Code, to provide that a person commits an offense if, with the intent to establish, maintain, or participate in a combination or in the profits of a combination or as a member of a street gang, the person commits or conspires to commit certain offenses, including any offense under Section 37.10 (Tampering with Governmental Record).

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2007.