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, offenses under this section are classified as state jail felonies. Specifically, it reclassifies offenses under Subsection (a)(6) from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony, while removing previous classifications for offenses under Subsections (a)(4), (5), and (6). Additionally, Section 42.105(g) is amended to similarly classify offenses under this section as state jail felonies, with the exception of certain subsections that are designated as Class C or Class A misdemeanors based on prior convictions.

The changes in law introduced by this bill will only apply to offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025. Offenses that occur before this date will be governed by the existing laws in place at the time of the offense. This ensures that individuals charged with offenses prior to the effective date will not be subject to the increased penalties outlined in the new legislation.

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)