HBA-KMH H.B. 2484 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2484 By: Uresti Criminal Jurisprudence 4/19/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The 73rd Legislature amended the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure by adding a new category of felony offenses known as "state jail felonies." The purpose and intent of state jail felonies were to relieve overcrowding of jails by establishing a felony category that focused on less serious, nonviolent offenders such as those involved in property and drug related crimes. Currently, burglary of a vehicle is a Class A misdemeanor. H.B. 2484 raises the penalty for commission of burglary of a vehicle according to the value of property stolen. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 30.04(c), Penal Code, as follows: (c) Provides that the penalty for the burglary of a vehicle if property is stolen is: (1) a state jail felony if the value of the property stolen is less than $1,500; (2) a felony of the third degree if the value of the property stolen is $1,500 or more but less than $20,000; (3) a felony of the second degree if the value of the property stolen is $20,000 or more but less than $100,000; or (4) a felony of the first degree if the value of the property stolen is $100,000 or more. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.