BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2440

By: Geren

Criminal Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that convicting individuals with prior theft convictions of state jail felonies for a subsequent minor theft offense can be problematic because those felony convictions lead to clogged court dockets and state jail facilities. The goal of H.B. 2440 is to ensure offenders face the punishment they deserve while at the same time reducing unnecessary burdens on courts and jails.

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. 2440 amends the Penal Code to reduce from a state jail felony to a Class A misdemeanor the penalty for a theft offense involving the theft of property with a value of less than $100 by a defendant who has been previously convicted two or more times of any grade of theft.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.