BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3338

By: Bowers

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been reported that certain areas in Texas are struggling with recurring burglary of vehicles in certain locations. Currently, state law does not require the owners of a property where this activity is habitual to take any action. H.B. 3338 seeks to discourage such repeated behavior and place some responsibility on the owners of property where these incidents commonly occur by including burglary of vehicles as an activity to which common nuisance law applies.

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. 3338 amends the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to establish that a person who maintains a place to which persons habitually go to engage in the burglary of vehicles and who knowingly tolerates and fails to make reasonable attempts to abate the activity maintains a common nuisance.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.