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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 for knowingly influencing |
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or attempting to influence one or more members of the legislature |
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through coercion or an offer of a benefit to prevent a quorum; |
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providing penalties. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 36, Penal Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 36.11 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 36.11. PREVENTING A LEGISLATIVE QUORUM. (a) A person |
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commits an offense if he knowingly influences or attempts to |
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influence one or more members of the legislature to prevent a quorum |
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to do business by using: |
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(1) any form of coercion; or |
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(2) any offer of benefit. |
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(b) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |