BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                     H.B. 1093

80R5111 UM-D                                                                                           By: Geren et al. (Harris)

                                                                                                                                   Criminal Justice

                                                                                                                                            5/13/2007

                                                                                                                                           Engrossed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

During the 79th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, 2005, H.B. 97 was enacted to address situations in which individuals disrupted the funerals of fallen soldiers.  A radical activist group had launched a campaign claiming that the deaths of American soldiers in Iraq were divine punishment for a country that harbors homosexuals.  The protests have occurred throughout Texas and across the country.  Unfortunately, even after passage of this legislation, some radical activists continue to protest military funerals. 

 

H.B. 1093 increases the distance barrier for individuals picketing a funeral from 500 feet to 1,000 feet. 

 

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 42.055(b), Penal Code, by specifying that a person commits an offense by picketing within 1,000 feet, instead of 500 feet, of a facility or cemetery being used for a funeral service beginning one hour before the service and ending one hour after the service is completed. 

 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2007.