HBA-EDN H.B. 319 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 319 By: Tillery Criminal Jurisprudence 3/4/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law does not provide a penalty for the direction of light from a laser pointer at a uniformed safety officer. Laser pointers have been found to mimic sighting lasers on firearms, so an officer who cannot distinguish between the two is at risk and in a potentially dangerous situation. House Bill 319 provides that a person who knowingly directs light from a laser pointer at a uniformed safety officer commits a Class C misdemeanor. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 319 amends the Penal Code to provide that a person commits a Class C misdemeanor if the person knowingly directs a light from a laser pointer at a uniformed safety officer, including a peace officer, security guard, firefighter, emergency medical service worker, or other uniformed municipal, state, or federal officer. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.