TITLE: Relating to the criminal penalty for the offense of the unauthorized reproduction, purchase, use, sale, or possession of a temporary tag; creating a criminal offense; increasing criminal penalties.

SUMMARY: Relating to the criminal penalty for the offense of the unauthorized reproduction, purchase, use, sale, or possession of a temporary tag; creating a criminal offense; increasing criminal penalties.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the criminal penalty for the offense of the unauthorized reproduction, purchase, use, sale, or possession of a temporary tag; creating a criminal offense; increasing criminal penalties. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The heading to Section 503.067, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 503.067. UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION, PURCHASE, USE, [OR] SALE,OR POSSESSION OF TEMPORARY TAGS. SECTION 2. Section 503.067, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: (a-1) A person may not possess an unauthorized temporary tag. SECTION 3. Section 503.094(d), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: (d) An offense involving a violation of: (1) Section 503.067(c) [503.067(b) or (c)] is a Class Cmisdemeanor; (2) Section 503.067(a-1) or (b) [503.067(d)] is a Class A misdemeanor; (3) [Section 503.067(a) is a state jail felony; and [(4)] Section 503.067(b) or [] (c) [ or (d)] is a state jail felony if the person who committed the offense criminally conspired to engage in organized criminal activity;and (4) Section 503.067(a) or (d) is a felony of the third degree.SECTION 4. 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 when 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 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.