HBA-KMH, KMH H.B. 740 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 740 By: Eiland Criminal Jurisprudence 3/30/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, the punishment level for theft of a motor vehicle valued between $500 and $1,500 is a Class A misdemeanor; and for vehicles valued between $1,500 and $20,00 the punishment level is a state jail felony. H.B. 740 sets the punishment level for theft of any vehicle valued up to $100, 000 at a felony of the third degree. 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 31.03(e), Penal Code, by including a motor vehicle, as defined by Section 501.002, Transportation Code, valued under $100,000, in the list of property which if it is the object of the offense of theft raises the penalty to a felony of the third degree. Section 501.002 defines "motor vehicle" as any motor driven or propelled vehicle required to be registered under the laws of this state including a trailer or semitrailer, other than manufactured housing, that has a gross vehicle weight that exceeds 4,000 pounds; a house trailer; a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle designed by the manufacturer for off-highway use that is not required to be registered under the laws of this state; or a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or moped that is not required to be registered under the laws of this state, other than a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or moped designed for and used exclusively on a golf course. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.