Bill > HB727

This bill modifies the Texas Penal Code's provisions regarding vehicle burglary, expanding the circumstances under which the offense can be elevated from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony. Specifically, the bill adds several new scenarios that would trigger a state jail felony classification, including possessing a firearm during the offense, stealing a firearm during the commission of the crime, using a stolen vehicle to facilitate the burglary, or committing the burglary on two or more vehicles during the same criminal transaction or as part of a broader criminal scheme. The bill also clarifies that if a person has been previously convicted of vehicle burglary twice or more, the offense becomes a state jail felony. Additionally, the bill includes a definition of "firearm" by referencing Section 46.01 of the Penal Code. The changes will only apply to offenses committed on or after the effective date of September 1, 2025, with previous offenses continuing to be governed by the law in effect at the time of the original offense.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB727