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Relating to the protection of animal and crop facilities; creating a criminal offense.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
HB 1480 would create new criminal offense under Agriculture Code for a variety of property related actions including:
(1) intentionally releasing, stealing, destroying, or otherwise causing the loss of an animal or crop from an animal or crop facility without the consent of the owner or operator of the animal or crop facility.
(2) damaging, vandalizing, or stealing any property on or from an animal or crop facility.
(3) breaking and entering into an animal or crop facility with the intent to destroy or alter records, data, materials, equipment, animals, or crops.
(4) knowingly obtaining control by theft or deception or exerting unauthorized control over any materials, equipment, animals, or crops of an animal or crop facility for the purpose of depriving the owner or operator of the facility or the facility of materials, equipment, animals, or crops.
(5) entering or remaining on an animal or crop facility with the intent to commit an act prohibited under this section.
An offense under this bill would be a Class B misdemeanor if the actor causes a loss in the amount of at least $500 but not more than $2,500 or a Class A misdemeanor if the loss is in an amount more than $2,500. The court shall also order a defendant to pay restitution if convicted.
Texas Action supports HB 1480 which protects private property rights.
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