BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1346
88R7178 DRS-F	By: Miles
	Criminal Justice
	4/6/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

What does this bill do?

• This bill allows a district attorney to prosecute anyone who orders and or conspires to illegally dump any material by improper and illegal means. 

Background and Purpose:

• In recent years, Texas has seen an increase of illegal dumping and overall littering. In many municipalities throughout the state.
• This influx is the direct result of corporations dumping scrap and other unwanted material in unapproved residential areas through various illegal means.
• This bill combats illegal dumping by giving local authorities the power to prosecute those who order the disposal in addition to those who are actually dumping the unwanted material.

Fiscal Impact: No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

As proposed, S.B. 1346 amends current law relating to the prosecution of certain littering offenses.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 365.012, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subsection (t), as follows:

(t) Provides that Chapter 15 (Preparatory Offenses), Penal Code, applies to an offense under Section 365.012 (Illegal Dumping; Discarding Lighted Materials; Criminal Penalties).

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2023.