| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
Relating to the prosecution and punishment of the offense of smuggling of persons.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
HB 687 would remove the requirement that a person must be seeking a monetary benefit to have committed the criminal offense of smuggling of persons. Instead, seeking a monetary benefit while committing the offense would become grounds for an enhancement from a third-degree felony to a second-degree felony. The possession of a firearm by the actor or an accomplice of the actor and evasion of law enforcement would also become grounds for the enhanced penalty.
Texas Action is neutral on HB 687.