By: Paddie H.B. No. 3557
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to civil liability for engaging in certain conduct
  involving a critical infrastructure facility.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  This Act shall be known as the Critical
  Infrastructure Protection Act.
         SECTION 2.  Subtitle B, Title 4, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Chapter 424 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 424. PROTECTION OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES
         Sec. 424.001.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "critical
  infrastructure facility" has the meaning assigned by Section
  30.05(b)(7), Penal Code, and also includes a critical
  infrastructure facility that is being constructed and all of the
  equipment and appurtenances used during that construction.
         Sec. 424.002.  LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE TO CRITICAL
  INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITY. (a) A defendant who engages in conduct
  constituting an offense under Section 30.05(d)(3)(A)(iii), Penal
  Code, and who also damages, destroys, vandalizes, defaces, or
  tampers with a critical infrastructure facility is liable to the
  property owner for damages arising from that conduct.
         (b)  It is not a defense to liability under this section that
  a defendant has been acquitted or has not been prosecuted or
  convicted under Section 30.05(d)(3)(A)(iii), Penal Code, or has
  been convicted of a different offense or of a different type or
  class of offense, for the conduct that is alleged to give rise to
  liability under this section.
         Sec. 424.003.  CERTAIN VICARIOUS LIABILITY. Regardless of
  the relationship between the organization and the person, an
  organization that compensates a person for engaging in conduct
  occurring on the premises of a critical infrastructure facility is
  vicariously liable to the property owner, as provided by this
  chapter, for damages arising from the conduct if the conduct
  constituted an offense under Section 30.05(d)(3)(A)(iii), Penal
  Code.
         Sec. 424.004.  DAMAGES. (a) A claimant who prevails in a
  suit under Sections 424.002 or 424.003 shall be awarded:
               (1)  actual damages, including damages for mental
  anguish even if an injury other than mental anguish is not shown;
               (2)  court costs; and
               (3)  reasonable attorney's fees.
         (b)  In addition to an award under Subsection (a) and
  notwithstanding Section 41.008(c), Civil Practices and Remedies
  Code, a claimant who prevails in a suit under Section 424.002 or
  424.003 may recover exemplary damages.
         Sec. 424.005.  CAUSE OF ACTION CUMULATIVE. The cause of
  action created by Sections 424.002 or 424.003 is cumulative of any
  other remedy provided by common law or statute.
         Sec. 424.006.  NONAPPLICABILITY. Chapter 27, Civil
  Practices and Remedies Code, does not apply to a cause of action
  under this chapter.
         SECTION 3.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of
  this Act. A cause of action that accrues before the effective date
  of this Act is governed by the law in effect immediately before that
  date, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.
  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2019.