BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2734

By: Holt

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee of the concerns expressed by the San Jacinto County district attorney with regard to matters of fraud that have arisen in House District 18 as the county experiences various community impacts associated with the Colony Ridge area. For instance, the bill author has informed the committee of the general need to mitigate the potential damage to public assistance programs. H.B. 2734 seeks to create an offense for a person who intentionally or knowingly makes a materially false or misleading written statement in an application to obtain a benefit under a public assistance program based on the value of benefits obtained fraudulently.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill expressly does one or more of the following: creates a criminal offense, increases the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or changes 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. 2734 amends the Penal Code to create an offense for a person who intentionally or knowingly makes a materially false or misleading written statement in an application to obtain a benefit under a public assistance program. The bill makes the penalties for the offense for making a false statement to obtain property or credit, which range from a Class C misdemeanor to a first degree felony depending on the value of the property obtained, applicable to the offense created by the bill but depending instead on the value of the benefit obtained. For purposes of the offense, the term "public assistance program" includes CHIP, TANF, Medicaid, and the nutritional assistance programs under applicable state law, including SNAP.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.