TITLE: Relating to the prosecution and punishment of the smuggling of persons.

SUMMARY: Relating to the prosecution and punishment of the smuggling of persons.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the prosecution and punishment of the smuggling of persons. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 20.01, Penal Code, is amended by adding Subdivisions (6), (7), and (8) to read as follows: (6) "Agricultural land" has the meaning assigned by Section 75.001, Civil Practice and Remedies Code. (7) "Firearm" has the meaning assigned by Section 46.01. (8) "Special investigator" includes an agent of the United States Department of Homeland Security. SECTION 2. Sections 20.05(a) and (c), Penal Code, are amended to read as follows: (a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally:(1) uses a motor vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft to transport an individual with the intent to: (A) [(1)] conceal the individual from a peace officer or special investigator; or (B) [(2)] flee from a person the actor knows is a peace officer or special investigator attempting to lawfully arrest or detain the actor;or (2) assists, guides, or directs three or more individuals to enter or remain on agricultural land without the effective consent of the owner.(c) An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree if:(1) the actor commits the offense: (A) [(1)] for pecuniary benefit; or (B) [(2)] in a manner that creates a substantial likelihood that the transported individual will suffer serious bodily injury or death;or (2) during the commission of the offense the actor, another party to the offense, or an individual assisted, guided, or directed by the actor knowingly possessed a firearm.SECTION 3. 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 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.