BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 595

By: Raymond

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Along the Texas border, persons transporting drugs alter the appearance of the transporting vehicle to resemble other vehicles, such as a USPS truck or a police car, in an effort to avoid a border checkpoint. Often, the drug transporters are caught after having delivered the drugs. Impersonating a peace officer for the purposes of drug trafficking is of particular concern because of the difficulty in preventing these offenses and the reprehensible nature of the transgression. Currently, the penalty for the offense of false identification as a peace officer is a Class B misdemeanor.  H.B. 595 enhances the penalty for this offense if the actor committed the offense with the intent to commit another 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. 595 amends the Penal Code to enhance the penalty for false identification as a peace officer from a Class B misdemeanor to a third degree felony if the actor committed the offense with the intent to commit another felony.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.