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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of the offense of illumination of an |
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aircraft by intense light. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 42, Penal Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 42.14 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 42.14. ILLUMINATION OF AIRCRAFT BY INTENSE LIGHT. (a) |
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A person commits an offense if: |
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(1) the person intentionally directs a light from a |
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laser pointer or other light source at an aircraft; and |
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(2) the light has an intensity sufficient to impair |
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the operator's ability to control the aircraft. |
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(b) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this |
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section that the actor was using the light to send an emergency |
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distress signal. |
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(c) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor |
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unless the intensity of the light impairs the operator's ability to |
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control the aircraft, in which event the offense is a Class A |
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misdemeanor. |
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(d) If conduct that constitutes an offense under this |
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section also constitutes an offense under any other law, the actor |
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may be prosecuted under this section or the other law. |
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(e) In this section, "laser pointer" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 42.13. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |