TITLE: Relating to the penalties for repeat and habitual felony offenders.

SUMMARY: Relating to the penalties for repeat and habitual felony offenders.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the penalties for repeat and habitual felony offenders. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The heading to Section 12.42, Penal Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 12.42. PENALTIES FOR REPEAT AND HABITUAL FELONY OFFENDERS ON TRIAL FOR FIRST, SECOND, OR THIRD DEGREE FELONY.SECTION 2. Sections 12.42(a) and (b), Penal Code, are amended to read as follows: (a) [(1) If it is shown on the trial of a state jail felony punishable under Section 12.35(a) that the defendant has previously been finally convicted of two state jail felonies, on conviction the defendant shall be punished for a third-degree felony. [(2) If it is shown on the trial of a state jail felony punishable under Section 12.35(a) that the defendant has previously been finally convicted of two felonies, and the second previous felony conviction is for an offense that occurred subsequent to the first previous conviction having become final, on conviction the defendant shall be punished for a second-degree felony. [(3)] Except as provided by Subsection (c)(2), if it is shown on the trial of a [state jail felony punishable under Section 12.35(c) or on the trial of a third-degree] felony of the third degree that the defendant has previously been finally [once before] convicted of a felony other than a state jail felony punishable under Section 12.35(a),on conviction the defendant [he] shall be punished for a [second-degree] felony of the second degree.(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c)(2), if it is shown on the trial of a [second-degree] felony of the second degree that the defendant has previously been finally [once before] convicted of a felony other than a state jail felony punishable under Section 12.35(a),on conviction the defendant [he] shall be punished for a [first-degree] felony of the first degree.SECTION 3. Section 12.42(c), Penal Code, is amended by amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivision (5) to read as follows: (1) If it is shown on the trial of a [first-degree] felony of the first degree that the defendant has previously been finally [once before] convicted of a felony other than a state jail felony punishable under Section 12.35(a),on conviction the defendant [he] shall be punished by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life, or for any term of not more than 99 years or less than 15 years. In addition to imprisonment, an individual may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000. (5) A previous conviction for a state jail felony punishable under Section 12.35(a) may not be used for enhancement purposes under Subdivision (2). SECTION 4. Section 12.42(d), Penal Code, is amended to read as follows: (d) Except as provided by Subsection (c)(2), if it is shown on the trial of a felony offense other than a state jail felony punishable under Section 12.35(a) that the defendant has previously been finally convicted of two felony offenses, and the second previous felony conviction is for an offense that occurred subsequent to the first previous conviction having become final, on conviction the defendant [he] shall be punished by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life, or for any term of not more than 99 years or less than 25 years. A previous conviction for a state jail felony punishable under Section 12.35(a) may not be used for enhancement purposes under this subsection. SECTION 5. Subchapter D, Chapter 12, Penal Code, is amended by adding Section 12.425 to read as follows: Sec. 12.425. PENALTIES FOR REPEAT AND HABITUAL FELONY OFFENDERS ON TRIAL FOR STATE JAIL FELONY. (a) If it is shown on the trial of a state jail felony punishable under Section 12.35(a) that the defendant has previously been finally convicted of two state jail felonies punishable under Section 12.35(a), on conviction the defendant shall be punished for a felony of the third degree. (b) If it is shown on the trial of a state jail felony punishable under Section 12.35(a) that the defendant has previously been finally convicted of two felonies other than a state jail felony punishable under Section 12.35(a), and the second previous felony conviction is for an offense that occurred subsequent to the first previous conviction having become final, on conviction the defendant shall be punished for a felony of the second degree. (c) If it is shown on the trial of a state jail felony for which punishment may be enhanced under Section 12.35(c) that the defendant has previously been finally convicted of a felony other than a state jail felony punishable under Section 12.35(a), on conviction the defendant shall be punished for a felony of the second degree. SECTION 6. Section 12.42(e), Penal Code, is repealed. SECTION 7. 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 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.