TITLE: Relating to a grant program to compensate certain property owners for damages caused by criminal activities.

SUMMARY: Relating to a grant program to compensate certain property owners for damages caused by criminal activities.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to a grant program to compensate certain property owners for damages caused by criminal activities. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Title 1, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Chapter 56C to read as follows: CHAPTER 56C. GRANT PROGRAM FOR LANDOWNER COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGES CAUSED BY CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES Sec. 56C.01. GRANT PROGRAM. (a) In this section: (1) "Agricultural land" includes any land the use of which qualifies the land for appraisal based on agricultural use as defined under Subchapter D, Chapter 23, Tax Code. (2) "Property damage" means any damage as a result of the commission of an offense listed in Chapter 28, Penal Code. (3) "Trespasser" means a trespasser as defined by Section 75.007, Civil Practice and Remedies Code. (b) The attorney general shall establish and administer a grant program to compensate landowners who suffer property damage on agricultural land by a trespasser as a result of the commission of an offense under Section 20.05 or 38.04, Penal Code, any offense under Chapter 20A, Penal Code, or any offense under Subchapter D, Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code. (c) The attorney general shall establish: (1) eligibility criteria for grant applicants; (2) grant application procedures; (3) criteria for evaluating grant applications and awarding grants; (4) guidelines related to grant amounts; and (5) procedures for monitoring the use of a grant awarded under this section and ensuring compliance with any conditions of the grant. (d) The eligibility criteria established under Subsection (c)(1) must include a requirement that the applicant promptly reported the offense to an appropriate law enforcement agency. (e) The attorney general may use any revenue available for purposes of this section. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.