BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1466

By: Swinford

Criminal Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Over the past few years, there has been a disturbing trend in the disappearance of bronze and cast-iron grave markers from veterans' graves across the United States.  Some of these markers date back to the American Revolutionary War. In Texas, some of these grave markers are placed on the graves of soldiers who fought in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf wars. The stolen markers are reappearing at military and gun show tables where they are sold for easy money. Currently, it is a state jail felony to vandalize a grave in Texas. However, some ambiguity has arisen as to whether it would be a state jail felony to steal a grave marker. 

H.B. 1466 clarifies that stealing a veteran's grave marker is a state jail felony.

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

H.B. 1466 amends the Penal Code to clarify that it is a state jail felony to steal a military grave marker from the person of another or from a human corpse or grave.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.