BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1257

By: Kacal

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties assert that state law is currently unclear on the exact punishment for the offense of criminal mischief involving the impairment or interruption of property used for flood control purposes and dams. H.B. 1257 seeks to clarify this issue by providing an appropriate penalty for such conduct.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 1257 amends the Penal Code to expand the conduct that constitutes a state jail felony criminal mischief offense to include causing wholly or partly the impairment or interruption of property used for flood control purposes or a dam when the amount of pecuniary loss is less than $30,000.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.