BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1902
89R20364 MEW-F	By: Cook et al. (Huffman)
	Criminal Justice
	5/16/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

According to the Texas Department of Banking, jugging is a crime that involves stealing money from a person who has just withdrawn cash from an ATM or bank by following the victim to a new location and robbing them. Certain parties contend that jugging is a form of organized crime with sophisticated surveillance tactics and resources, rather than a crime of opportunity like burglary of a vehicle or robbery. H.B. 1902 creates the criminal offense of jugging, punishable as a state jail felony.

H.B. 1902 amends current law relating to creating the criminal offense of jugging.

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 Chapter 29, Penal Code, by adding Section 29.04, as follows:

Sec. 29.04. JUGGING. (a) Provides that a person commits an offense if, with the intent to commit theft of another person's money, the person knowingly travels from a commercial business or financial institution, as defined by Section 201.101 (Definitions), Finance Code, on the same path or route as another person without substantially deviating from that path or route and is in possession of two or more criminal instruments, as defined by Section 16.01 (Unlawful Use of Criminal Instrument or Mechanical Security Device).

(b) Provides that an offense under this section is a state jail felony, except that the offense is a felony of the third degree if, during the commission of the offense, the actor commits an offense under Section 30.04 (Burglary of Vehicles) or a felony of the first degree if, during the commission of the offense, the actor commits an offense under Section 29.02 (Robbery).

(c) Authorizes an actor, if conduct constituting an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under another section of this code, to be prosecuted under either section or under both sections.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.