H.B. No. 1795 proposes to increase the criminal penalties for offenses related to dog fighting and cockfighting in Texas. The bill amends Section 42.10(e) of the Penal Code to establish that, except as otherwise provided, an offense under this section is classified as a state jail felony. It also specifies that an offense under Subsection (a)(6) is a Class A misdemeanor, while previous classifications for certain subsections have been removed. Similarly, Section 42.105(g) is amended to indicate that, except as otherwise provided, an offense under this section is a state jail felony, with specific classifications for other subsections being updated.

The bill clarifies that the changes in law will only apply to offenses committed on or after the effective date of September 1, 2025. Offenses committed prior to this date will be governed by the law in effect at that time, ensuring that individuals are not retroactively penalized under the new classifications. This legislative change aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding animal fighting offenses in Texas.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 42.10, Penal Code 42.105 (Penal Code 42)
House Committee Report: Penal Code 42.10, Penal Code 42.105 (Penal Code 42)