Highlights of the 79th Texas Legislature - Senate

STATE AFFAIRS/GENERAL
Amends the Penal Code by making the reckless causing of a fire or an explosion while manufacturing a controlled
substance and in the process damaging any building, habitation, or vehicle an offense punishable as a state jail
felony.
Provides that the offense is punishable as a felony of the third degree if the commission of the offense caused bodily
injury or death to any person.
Provides that it is a felony of the third degree to intentionally start a fire in or on a building, habitation, or vehicle with
intent to damage or destroy property belonging to another, or with intent to injure any person, and in so doing to
recklessly cause damage to the building, habitation, or vehicle.
Authorizes the actor to be prosecuted under multiple sections of the code.
Provides that a person commits an offense if the person is the owner of property subject to an arson investigation
and the person refuses to be sworn, refuses to appear and testify, or fails and refuses to produce before the county
fire marshal any book, paper, or other document relating to any matter under investigation if called on by the marshal
to do so.
Star of Texas Awards—H.B. 1977
By Representative Gallego—Senate Sponsor: Senator Gallegos
The 78th Texas Legislature, 2003, designated September 11 as Texas First Responders Day and created the Star of
Texas Award to be given to peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who are
seriously wounded in the line of duty, or to the surviving families of those who are killed in the line of duty. This bill:
Clarifies that the Star of Texas Award is to be awarded to each peace officer, firefighter, and EMT who is seriously
injured or killed in the line of duty.
Cultural and Fine Arts District Program—H.B. 2208
By Representative Phillips—Senate Sponsor: Senator Zaffirini
As traditionally measured, the cultural arts are responsible for about 19.8 percent of the total tourism in the state.
This bill:
Gives the Texas Commission on the Arts the authority to establish criteria for culture and arts districts, promoting
culture and artistic assets.
Use of Driver's License Information in an Image Verification System─H.B. 2337
By Representative Corte et al.—Senate Sponsor: Senator Staples
A driver's license is the most common form of identification used by individuals in Texas. This bill:
Requires the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to establish an image verification system based on an applicant’s
facial image and an applicant’s thumbprints or fingerprints.
HIGHLIGHTS - 79 TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE 221