82R11683 JSC-D
By: Bonnen H.B. No. 3523
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the monetary penalties for Class C misdemeanors and
other misdemeanors punishable by a fine only.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1.03(b), Penal Code, is amended to read
as follows:
(b) The provisions of Titles 1, 2, and 3 apply to offenses
defined by other laws, unless the statute defining the offense
provides otherwise; however, the punishment affixed to an offense
defined outside this code shall be applicable unless:
(1) the punishment is classified in accordance with
this code; or
(2) the offense is punishable under Section 12.23.
SECTION 2. Section 12.23, Penal Code, is amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 12.23. CLASS C MISDEMEANOR. Notwithstanding any other
law, an [An] individual adjudged guilty of:
(1) a Class C misdemeanor shall be punished by a fine
of at least $25 but not to exceed $500; and
(2) an offense defined outside this code that is
punishable by fine only shall be punished by a fine of at least $25
but not to exceed $500, unless the offense is plainly labeled as a
Class A or Class B misdemeanor.
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.
An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is
covered by the law in effect when the offense was committed, and the
former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of
this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of
this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.