By: Swanson H.B. No. 1490
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to creating a criminal offense for certain conduct
involving the unauthorized use of a vehicle
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 31.07, Penal Code, is amended by
amending subsection (a) and (b) to read as follows:
(a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or
knowingly operates another's boat, airplane, or motor-propelled
vehicle: [without the effective consent of the owner.]
(1) without the effective consent of the owner; or
(2) without the effective consent of the owner and
with knowledge that the ignition or steering system of the boat,
airplane, or motor-propelled vehicle had been altered, damaged, or
tampered with.
(b) An offense under [this section is a state jail felony]
section (a)(1) is a state jail felony. An offense under section
(a)(2) is a felony of the third degree.
SECTION 2. 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
governed by the law in effect on the date 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 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.