Bill Text: TX SB208 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the criminal penalties for delivery and possession of marihuana and citations given for those offenses.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-02-15 - Referred to State Affairs [SB208 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SB208-Introduced.html
  88R863 JSC-D
 
  By: Eckhardt S.B. No. 208
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the criminal penalties for delivery and possession of
  marihuana and citations given for those offenses.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Article 14.01, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a) or (b), a peace officer
  or any other person may not, without a warrant, arrest an offender
  for a misdemeanor punishable by fine only under Section
  481.120(b)(1) or 481.121(b)(1), Health and Safety Code.
         SECTION 2.  Article 14.03, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Subsection (i) to read as follows:
         (i)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), (d), or (g), a peace
  officer may not, without a warrant, arrest a person who only commits
  an offense punishable by fine only under Section 481.120(b)(1) or
  481.121(b)(1), Health and Safety Code.
         SECTION 3.  Article 14.06, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Subsections (b-1) and (b-2) and amending
  Subsection (d) to read as follows:
         (b-1)  A peace officer who is charging a person with
  committing an offense under Section 481.120(b)(1) or
  481.121(b)(1), Health and Safety Code, may not arrest the person
  and shall issue the person a citation as provided by Subsection (b).
         (b-2)  Subsection (b-1) does not apply to an officer making
  an arrest for an offense other than an offense under Section
  481.120(b)(1) or 481.121(b)(1), Health and Safety Code.
         (d)  Subsection (c) applies only to a person charged with
  committing an offense under:
               (1)  Section 481.121, Health and Safety Code, if the
  offense is punishable under Subsection (b)(1-a) [(b)(1)] or (2) of
  that section;
               (1-a)  Section 481.1161, Health and Safety Code, if the
  offense is punishable under Subsection (b)(1) or (2) of that
  section;
               (2)  Section 28.03, Penal Code, if the offense is
  punishable under Subsection (b)(2) of that section;
               (3)  Section 28.08, Penal Code, if the offense is
  punishable under Subsection (b)(2) or (3) of that section;
               (4)  Section 31.03, Penal Code, if the offense is
  punishable under Subsection (e)(2)(A) of that section;
               (5)  Section 31.04, Penal Code, if the offense is
  punishable under Subsection (e)(2) of that section;
               (6)  Section 38.114, Penal Code, if the offense is
  punishable as a Class B misdemeanor; or
               (7)  Section 521.457, Transportation Code.
         SECTION 4.  Article 42A.551(c), Code of Criminal Procedure,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (c)  Subsection (a) does not apply to a defendant who:
               (1)  under Section 481.1151(b)(1), Health and Safety
  Code, possessed more than five abuse units of the controlled
  substance; or
               (2)  under Section 481.1161(b)(3), Health and Safety
  Code, possessed more than one pound, by aggregate weight, including
  adulterants or dilutants, of the controlled substance[; or
               [(3)  under Section 481.121(b)(3), Health and Safety
  Code, possessed more than one pound of marihuana].
         SECTION 5.  Section 411.0728(a), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  This section applies only to a person:
               (1)  who is convicted of or placed on deferred
  adjudication community supervision for an offense under:
                     (A)  Section 481.120, Health and Safety Code, if
  the offense is punishable under Subsection (b)(1-a) [(b)(1)];
                     (B)  Section 481.121, Health and Safety Code, if
  the offense is punishable under Subsection (b)(1-a) [(b)(1)];
                     (C)  Section 31.03, Penal Code, if the offense is
  punishable under Subsection (e)(1) or (2); or
                     (D)  Section 43.02, Penal Code; and
               (2)  who, if requested by the applicable law
  enforcement agency or prosecuting attorney to provide assistance in
  the investigation or prosecution of an offense under Section
  20A.02, 20A.03, or 43.05, Penal Code, or a federal offense
  containing elements that are substantially similar to the elements
  of an offense under any of those sections:
                     (A)  provided assistance in the investigation or
  prosecution of the offense; or
                     (B)  did not provide assistance in the
  investigation or prosecution of the offense due to the person's age
  or a physical or mental disability resulting from being a victim of
  an offense described by this subdivision.
         SECTION 6.  Section 481.115(h), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (h)  The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (g) is
  not available if:
               (1)  at the time the request for emergency medical
  assistance was made:
                     (A)  a peace officer was in the process of
  arresting the actor or executing a search warrant describing the
  actor or the place from which the request for medical assistance was
  made; or
                     (B)  the actor is committing another offense,
  other than an offense punishable under Section 481.1151(b)(1),
  481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(1) or (2), 481.117(b), 481.118(b), or
  481.121(b)(1), (1-a), or (2), or an offense under Section
  481.119(b), 481.125(a), 483.041(a), or 485.031(a);
               (2)  the actor has been previously convicted of or
  placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for an
  offense under this chapter or Chapter 483 or 485;
               (3)  the actor was acquitted in a previous proceeding
  in which the actor successfully established the defense under that
  subsection or Section 481.1151(c), 481.116(f), 481.1161(c),
  481.117(f), 481.118(f), 481.119(c), 481.121(c), 481.125(g),
  483.041(e), or 485.031(c); or
               (4)  at any time during the 18-month period preceding
  the date of the commission of the instant offense, the actor
  requested emergency medical assistance in response to the possible
  overdose of the actor or another person.
         SECTION 7.  Section 481.1151(d), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (d)  The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (c) is
  not available if:
               (1)  at the time the request for emergency medical
  assistance was made:
                     (A)  a peace officer was in the process of
  arresting the actor or executing a search warrant describing the
  actor or the place from which the request for medical assistance was
  made; or
                     (B)  the actor is committing another offense,
  other than an offense punishable under Section 481.115(b),
  481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(1) or (2), 481.117(b), 481.118(b), or
  481.121(b)(1), (1-a), or (2), or an offense under Section
  481.119(b), 481.125(a), 483.041(a), or 485.031(a);
               (2)  the actor has been previously convicted of or
  placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for an
  offense under this chapter or Chapter 483 or 485;
               (3)  the actor was acquitted in a previous proceeding
  in which the actor successfully established the defense under that
  subsection or Section 481.115(g), 481.116(f), 481.1161(c),
  481.117(f), 481.118(f), 481.119(c), 481.121(c), 481.125(g),
  483.041(e), or 485.031(c); or
               (4)  at any time during the 18-month period preceding
  the date of the commission of the instant offense, the actor
  requested emergency medical assistance in response to the possible
  overdose of the actor or another person.
         SECTION 8.  Section 481.1161(d), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (d)  The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (c) is
  not available if:
               (1)  at the time the request for emergency medical
  assistance was made:
                     (A)  a peace officer was in the process of
  arresting the actor or executing a search warrant describing the
  actor or the place from which the request for medical assistance was
  made; or
                     (B)  the actor is committing another offense,
  other than an offense punishable under Section 481.115(b),
  481.1151(b)(1), 481.116(b), 481.117(b), 481.118(b), or
  481.121(b)(1), (1-a), or (2), or an offense under Section
  481.119(b), 481.125(a), 483.041(a), or 485.031(a);
               (2)  the actor has been previously convicted of or
  placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for an
  offense under this chapter or Chapter 483 or 485;
               (3)  the actor was acquitted in a previous proceeding
  in which the actor successfully established the defense under that
  subsection or Section 481.115(g), 481.1151(c), 481.116(f),
  481.117(f), 481.118(f), 481.119(c), 481.121(c), 481.125(g),
  483.041(e), or 485.031(c); or
               (4)  at any time during the 18-month period preceding
  the date of the commission of the instant offense, the actor
  requested emergency medical assistance in response to the possible
  overdose of the actor or another person.
         SECTION 9.  Section 481.117(g), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (g)  The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (f) is
  not available if:
               (1)  at the time the request for emergency medical
  assistance was made:
                     (A)  a peace officer was in the process of
  arresting the actor or executing a search warrant describing the
  actor or the place from which the request for medical assistance was
  made; or
                     (B)  the actor is committing another offense,
  other than an offense punishable under Section 481.115(b),
  481.1151(b)(1), 481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(1) or (2), 481.118(b), or
  481.121(b)(1), (1-a), or (2), or an offense under Section
  481.119(b), 481.125(a), 483.041(a), or 485.031(a);
               (2)  the actor has been previously convicted of or
  placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for an
  offense under this chapter or Chapter 483 or 485;
               (3)  the actor was acquitted in a previous proceeding
  in which the actor successfully established the defense under that
  subsection or Section 481.115(g), 481.1151(c), 481.116(f),
  481.1161(c), 481.118(f), 481.119(c), 481.121(c), 481.125(g),
  483.041(e), or 485.031(c); or
               (4)  at any time during the 18-month period preceding
  the date of the commission of the instant offense, the actor
  requested emergency medical assistance in response to the possible
  overdose of the actor or another person.
         SECTION 10.  Section 481.118(g), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (g)  The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (f) is
  not available if:
               (1)  at the time the request for emergency medical
  assistance was made:
                     (A)  a peace officer was in the process of
  arresting the actor or executing a search warrant describing the
  actor or the place from which the request for medical assistance was
  made; or
                     (B)  the actor is committing another offense,
  other than an offense punishable under Section 481.115(b),
  481.1151(b)(1), 481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(1) or (2), 481.117(b), or
  481.121(b)(1), (1-a), or (2), or an offense under Section
  481.119(b), 481.125(a), 483.041(a), or 485.031(a);
               (2)  the actor has been previously convicted of or
  placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for an
  offense under this chapter or Chapter 483 or 485;
               (3)  the actor was acquitted in a previous proceeding
  in which the actor successfully established the defense under that
  subsection or Section 481.115(g), 481.1151(c), 481.116(f),
  481.1161(c), 481.117(f), 481.119(c), 481.121(c), 481.125(g),
  483.041(e), or 485.031(c); or
               (4)  at any time during the 18-month period preceding
  the date of the commission of the instant offense, the actor
  requested emergency medical assistance in response to the possible
  overdose of the actor or another person.
         SECTION 11.  Section 481.119(d), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (d)  The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (c) is
  not available if:
               (1)  at the time the request for emergency medical
  assistance was made:
                     (A)  a peace officer was in the process of
  arresting the actor or executing a search warrant describing the
  actor or the place from which the request for medical assistance was
  made; or
                     (B)  the actor is committing another offense,
  other than an offense punishable under Section 481.115(b),
  481.1151(b)(1), 481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(1) or (2), 481.117(b),
  481.118(b), or 481.121(b)(1), (1-a), or (2), or an offense under
  Section 481.125(a), 483.041(a), or 485.031(a);
               (2)  the actor has been previously convicted of or
  placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for an
  offense under this chapter or Chapter 483 or 485;
               (3)  the actor was acquitted in a previous proceeding
  in which the actor successfully established the defense under that
  subsection or Section 481.115(g), 481.1151(c), 481.116(f),
  481.1161(c), 481.117(f), 481.118(f), 481.121(c), 481.125(g),
  483.041(e), or 485.031(c); or
               (4)  at any time during the 18-month period preceding
  the date of the commission of the instant offense, the actor
  requested emergency medical assistance in response to the possible
  overdose of the actor or another person.
         SECTION 12.  Section 481.120(b), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  An offense under Subsection (a) is:
               (1)  a Class C [B] misdemeanor if the amount of
  marihuana delivered is one-fourth ounce or less and the person
  committing the offense does not receive remuneration for the
  marihuana;
               (1-a) [(2)]  a Class B [A] misdemeanor if the amount of
  marihuana delivered is one-fourth ounce or less and the person
  committing the offense receives remuneration for the marihuana;
               (2) [(3)]  a Class A misdemeanor [state jail felony] if
  the amount of marihuana delivered is five pounds or less but more
  than one-fourth ounce;
               (3) [(4)]  a state jail felony [of the second degree]
  if the amount of marihuana delivered is 50 pounds or less but more
  than five pounds;
               (4) [(5)]  a felony of the second [first] degree if the
  amount of marihuana delivered is 2,000 pounds or less but more than
  50 pounds; and
               (5)  a felony of the first degree [(6) punishable by
  imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life
  or for a term of not more than 99 years or less than 10 years, and a
  fine not to exceed $100,000,] if the amount of marihuana delivered
  is more than 2,000 pounds.
         SECTION 13.  Sections 481.121(a), (b), and (c), Health and
  Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Except as authorized by this chapter, a person commits
  an offense if the person knowingly or intentionally possesses a
  usable quantity of more than one ounce of marihuana.
         (b)  An offense under Subsection (a) is:
               (1)  a Class C [B] misdemeanor if the amount of
  marihuana possessed is two ounces or less but more than one ounce;
               (1-a) [(2)]  a Class B [A] misdemeanor if the amount of
  marihuana possessed is four ounces or less but more than two ounces;
               (2) [(3)]  a Class A misdemeanor [state jail felony] if
  the amount of marihuana possessed is five pounds or less but more
  than four ounces;
               (3) [(4)]  a state jail felony [of the third degree] if
  the amount of marihuana possessed is 50 pounds or less but more than
  5 pounds;
               (4) [(5)]  a felony of the third [second] degree if the
  amount of marihuana possessed is 2,000 pounds or less but more than
  50 pounds; and
               (5)  a felony of the second degree [(6) punishable by
  imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life
  or for a term of not more than 99 years or less than 5 years, and a
  fine not to exceed $50,000,] if the amount of marihuana possessed is
  more than 2,000 pounds.
         (c)  It is a defense to prosecution for an offense punishable
  under Subsection (b)(1), (1-a), or (2) that the actor:
               (1)  was the first person to request emergency medical
  assistance in response to the possible overdose of another person
  and:
                     (A)  made the request for medical assistance
  during an ongoing medical emergency;
                     (B)  remained on the scene until the medical
  assistance arrived; and
                     (C)  cooperated with medical assistance and law
  enforcement personnel; or
               (2)  was the victim of a possible overdose for which
  emergency medical assistance was requested, by the actor or by
  another person, during an ongoing medical emergency.
         SECTION 14.  Section 481.125(h), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (h)  The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (g) is
  not available if:
               (1)  at the time the request for emergency medical
  assistance was made:
                     (A)  a peace officer was in the process of
  arresting the actor or executing a search warrant describing the
  actor or the place from which the request for medical assistance was
  made; or
                     (B)  the actor is committing another offense,
  other than an offense punishable under Section 481.115(b),
  481.1151(b)(1), 481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(1) or (2), 481.117(b),
  481.118(b), or 481.121(b)(1), (1-a), or (2), or an offense under
  Section 481.119(b), 483.041(a), or 485.031(a);
               (2)  the actor has been previously convicted of or
  placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for an
  offense under this chapter or Chapter 483 or 485;
               (3)  the actor was acquitted in a previous proceeding
  in which the actor successfully established the defense under that
  subsection or Section 481.115(g), 481.1151(c), 481.116(f),
  481.1161(c), 481.117(f), 481.118(f), 481.119(c), 481.121(c),
  483.041(e), or 485.031(c); or
               (4)  at any time during the 18-month period preceding
  the date of the commission of the instant offense, the actor
  requested emergency medical assistance in response to the possible
  overdose of the actor or another person.
         SECTION 15.  Section 481.134(c), Health and Safety Code, as
  amended by Chapters 584 (S.B. 768) and 807 (H.B. 1540), Acts of the
  87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, is reenacted and amended
  to read as follows:
         (c)  The minimum term of confinement or imprisonment for an
  offense otherwise punishable under Section 481.112(c), (d), (e), or
  (f), 481.1121(b)(2), (3), or (4), 481.1123(c), (d), (e), or (f),
  481.113(c), (d), or (e), 481.114(c), (d), or (e), 481.115(c), (d),
  (e), or (f) [481.115(c)-(f)], 481.1151(b)(2), (3), (4), or (5),
  481.116(c), (d), or (e), 481.1161(b)(4), (5), or (6), 481.117(c),
  (d), or (e), 481.118(c), (d), or (e), 481.120(b)(4) or[,] (5), [or
  (6),] or 481.121(b)(4) or[,] (5)[, or (6)] is increased by five
  years and the maximum fine for the offense is doubled if it is shown
  on the trial of the offense that the offense was committed:
               (1)  in, on, or within 1,000 feet of the premises of a
  school, the premises of a public or private youth center, or a
  playground;
               (2)  on a school bus; or
               (3)  by any unauthorized person 18 years of age or
  older, in, on, or within 1,000 feet of premises owned, rented, or
  leased by a general residential operation operating as a
  residential treatment center.
         SECTION 16.  Section 481.134(f), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (f)  An offense otherwise punishable under Section
  481.118(b), 481.119(b), 481.120(b)(1-a) [481.120(b)(1)], or
  481.121(b)(1-a) [481.121(b)(1)] is a Class A misdemeanor if it is
  shown on the trial of the offense that the offense was committed:
               (1)  in, on, or within 1,000 feet of any real property
  that is owned, rented, or leased to a school or school board, the
  premises of a public or private youth center, or a playground;
               (2)  on a school bus; or
               (3)  by any unauthorized person 18 years of age or
  older, in, on, or within 1,000 feet of premises owned, rented, or
  leased by a general residential operation operating as a
  residential treatment center.
         SECTION 17.  Section 483.041(f), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (f)  The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (e) is
  not available if:
               (1)  at the time the request for emergency medical
  assistance was made:
                     (A)  a peace officer was in the process of
  arresting the actor or executing a search warrant describing the
  actor or the place from which the request for medical assistance was
  made; or
                     (B)  the actor is committing another offense,
  other than an offense punishable under Section 481.115(b),
  481.1151(b)(1), 481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(1) or (2), 481.117(b),
  481.118(b), or 481.121(b)(1), (1-a), or (2), or an offense under
  Section 481.119(b), 481.125(a), or 485.031(a);
               (2)  the actor has been previously convicted of or
  placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for an
  offense under this chapter or Chapter 481 or 485;
               (3)  the actor was acquitted in a previous proceeding
  in which the actor successfully established the defense under that
  subsection or Section 481.115(g), 481.1151(c), 481.116(f),
  481.1161(c), 481.117(f), 481.118(f), 481.119(c), 481.121(c),
  481.125(g), or 485.031(c); or
               (4)  at any time during the 18-month period preceding
  the date of the commission of the instant offense, the actor
  requested emergency medical assistance in response to the possible
  overdose of the actor or another person.
         SECTION 18.  Section 485.031(d), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (d)  The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (c) is
  not available if:
               (1)  at the time the request for emergency medical
  assistance was made:
                     (A)  a peace officer was in the process of
  arresting the actor or executing a search warrant describing the
  actor or the place from which the request for medical assistance was
  made; or
                     (B)  the actor is committing another offense,
  other than an offense punishable under Section 481.115(b),
  481.1151(b)(1), 481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(1) or (2), 481.117(b),
  481.118(b), or 481.121(b)(1), (1-a), or (2), or an offense under
  Section 481.119(b), 481.125(a), or 483.041(a);
               (2)  the actor has been previously convicted of or
  placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for an
  offense under this chapter or Chapter 481 or 483;
               (3)  the actor was acquitted in a previous proceeding
  in which the actor successfully established the defense under that
  subsection or Section 481.115(g), 481.1151(c), 481.116(f),
  481.1161(c), 481.117(f), 481.118(f), 481.119(c), 481.121(c),
  481.125(g), or 483.041(e); or
               (4)  at any time during the 18-month period preceding
  the date of the commission of the instant offense, the actor
  requested emergency medical assistance in response to the possible
  overdose of the actor or another person.
         SECTION 19.  Section 71.023(a), Penal Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  A person commits an offense if the person, as part of the
  identifiable leadership of a criminal street gang, knowingly
  finances, directs, or supervises the commission of, or a conspiracy
  to commit, one or more of the following offenses by members of a
  criminal street gang:
               (1)  a felony offense that is listed in Article
  42A.054(a), Code of Criminal Procedure;
               (2)  a felony offense for which it is shown that a
  deadly weapon, as defined by Section 1.07, was used or exhibited
  during the commission of the offense or during immediate flight
  from the commission of the offense; or
               (3)  an offense that is punishable under Section
  481.112(e) or (f), 481.1121(b)(4), 481.1123(d), (e), or (f), or 
  481.115(f), [or 481.120(b)(6),] Health and Safety Code.
         SECTION 20.  (a)  Except as otherwise provided by this
  section, the changes in law made by this Act apply 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.
         (b)  Sections 481.120, 481.121, and 481.134, Health and
  Safety Code, as amended by this Act, apply to an offense committed
  under Section 481.120 or 481.121, or an offense committed under
  Section 481.120 or 481.121 and punishable under Section 481.134,
  before, on, or after September 1, 2023, except that a final
  conviction for an offense that exists on September 1, 2023, is
  unaffected by this Act.
         SECTION 21.  To the extent of any conflict, this Act prevails
  over another Act of the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023,
  relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in enacted
  codes.
         SECTION 22.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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