4 bills pending
Members
π₯ Jay Morris (R)
π₯ Mark Abraham (R)
Pending Bills
SB152: Provides relative to sentencing of defendants who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or human trafficking. (8/1/25)
Last Action: Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C.
Date: 2025-04-14
Author: Beth Mizell (R)
SB157: Creates the crime of unauthorized use of rental service equipment. (8/1/25)
Last Action: Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C.
Date: 2025-04-14
Author: Stewart Cathey (R)
Creates the crime of unauthorized use of rental service equipment and establishes penalties for failing to return rented equipment as agreed.
Key Provisions:
- Defines the offense as using or keeping rental equipment past the return date without payment, or failing to pay per the rental agreement.
- Applies to non-vehicle equipment rented for 30 days or less.
- Penalties scale by equipment value:
- Under $1,000: up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine
- $1,000β$4,999: up to 5 years or $3,000 fine
- $5,000β$24,999: up to 10 years or $10,000 fine
- $25,000 or more: up to 20 years or $50,000 fine
- Courts must also order restitution equal to daily rental charges until the equipment is returned.
- Provides defenses if the renter returns equipment within 72 hours, was refused return, the item was destroyed, or it was stolen or legally seized.
- Successful criminal defenses do not exempt renters from civil liability.
- Effective August 1, 2025.
SB211: Provides relative to persons authorized to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. (8/1/25)
Last Action: Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C.
Date: 2025-04-14
Author: Gary Carter (D)
- Authorizes courts to prohibit certain individuals from carrying concealed handguns without a permit based on a petition by a district attorney.
- Applies when the person is believed to pose an imminent risk of injury to self or others and possesses a firearm.
- Requires clear and convincing evidence at a hearing; court orders are reported to NICS.
- Exempts such individuals from permitless carry protections.
- Effective August 1, 2025.
HB76: Creates the crime of felony intentional infection of a sexually transmitted disease (RE SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
Last Action: Received in the Senate; read by title Rules suspended. Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C.
Date: 2025-06-02
Author: Pat Moore (D)
Co-sponsors: Beth Billings (R)
HOUSE committee amendments [LINK]
- Creates the crime of intentionally infecting someone with an incurable sexually transmitted disease without consent.
- Defines penalties and establishes defenses for this crime under numerous statutes such as sex trafficking, juvenile pornography, prostitution of a juvenile, etc. see more at the link.
- Requires sex offender registration for those convicted.
Creates two crimes for intentionally exposing others to STDs:
Felony (Incurable STDs):
- Intentional infection without consent.
- Penalties: Up to $5,000 fine, up to 10 years prison (higher if victim is young, elderly, or disabled).
- Lifetime monitoring required post-release.
Misdemeanor (Curable STDs):
- Same definition, but for curable STDs.
- Penalties: Up to $1,000 fine, up to 6 months prison.
Creates an affirmative defense and reduced sentencing guidelines for criminal defendants who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or human trafficking.
Key Provisions (Opposition Analysis):
- Allows defendants to avoid full criminal accountability by claiming victim status, even if the crime is serious and unrelated to their abuse history.
- Expands admissibility of prior abuse claims with relaxed evidentiary standards, increasing risk of misuse or manipulation.
- Grants broad discretion to courts to reduce mandatory sentences, potentially weakening deterrence and consistency in sentencing.
- Applies retroactively for resentencing through 2028, which could reopen closed cases and impose burdens on courts and prosecutors.
- Lacks strong safeguards to prevent false or exaggerated claims of abuse from influencing criminal liability or sentencing outcomes.
- Effective August 1, 2025.