Bill > SB1300

This bill strengthens Texas law regarding organized retail theft by expanding and clarifying legal definitions and increasing criminal penalties. The bill broadens the definition of "retail merchandise" to include gift cards and defines "merchant" as any business selling items to the public. It establishes new legal provisions for prosecuting organized retail theft, including allowing prosecutors to charge individuals who act in concert with others to steal merchandise, repeatedly steal from merchants, or knowingly benefit from theft activities. The bill introduces new evidentiary standards, such as allowing price tags as prima facie evidence of merchandise value and ownership, and permits prosecutors to use evidence of previous theft offenses to demonstrate intent or concert of action. Critically, the bill increases criminal penalties, transforming certain offenses from misdemeanors to felonies and establishing a graduated penalty system based on the total value of stolen property, ranging from a Class B misdemeanor for theft under $100 to a first-degree felony with potential life imprisonment for theft of $300,000 or more. The bill also removes certain enhancement limitations and clarifies that penalties can be applied even if some participants in the theft have not been charged or identified. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and apply only to offenses committed on or after that date.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1300