Bill

HB 1306

87(R) - 2021
House Criminal Jurisprudence
Senate Criminal Justice
House Criminal Jurisprudence
Senate Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice
Crimes

Contact the Author

Valoree Swanson

Phone:

512-463-0572

Capitol Office:

E1.406

Email:

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Valoree Swanson
Alex Dominguez
Leo Pacheco

Co-Author(s)

Jarred Patterson

Sponsor(s)

Paul Bettencourt

Bill Caption

Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for assault or aggravated assault of a process server.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 1306 would increase the criminal category of assault from a Class A misdemeanor to a third-degree felony if the offender assaults someone they know to be a process server in the performance of their duties. It would also increase the criminal category of aggravated assault from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony if the same circumstances apply.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action is neutral on HB 1306. We are generally skeptical of penalty enhancements that jump from misdemeanor to felony level. However, since process servers are acting in an official capacity as part of the court system we recognize that there may be a legitimate purpose in considering such an enhancement in this case. 

Contact the Author

Valoree Swanson

Phone:

512-463-0572

Capitol Office:

E1.406

Email: