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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a grant program to compensate certain property owners |
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for damages caused by criminal activities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Title 1, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended |
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by adding Chapter 56C to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 56C. GRANT PROGRAM FOR LANDOWNER COMPENSATION |
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FOR DAMAGES CAUSED BY CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES |
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Sec. 56C.01. GRANT PROGRAM. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Agricultural land" includes any land the use of |
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which qualifies the land for appraisal based on agricultural use as |
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defined under Subchapter D, Chapter 23, Tax Code. |
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(2) "Property damage" means any damage as a result of |
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the commission of an offense listed in Chapter 28, Penal Code. |
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(3) "Trespasser" means a trespasser as defined by |
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Section 75.007, Civil Practice and Remedies Code. |
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(b) The attorney general shall establish and administer a |
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grant program to compensate landowners who suffer property damage |
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on agricultural land by a trespasser as a result of the commission |
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of an offense under Section 20.05 or 38.04, Penal Code, any offense |
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under Chapter 20A, Penal Code, or any offense under Subchapter D, |
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Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code. |
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(c) The attorney general shall establish: |
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(1) eligibility criteria for grant applicants; |
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(2) grant application procedures; |
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(3) criteria for evaluating grant applications and |
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awarding grants; |
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(4) guidelines related to grant amounts; and |
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(5) procedures for monitoring the use of a grant |
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awarded under this section and ensuring compliance with any |
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conditions of the grant. |
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(d) The eligibility criteria established under Subsection |
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(c)(1) must include a requirement that the applicant promptly |
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reported the offense to an appropriate law enforcement agency. |
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(e) The attorney general may use any revenue available for |
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purposes of this section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |