H.B. No. 2001 amends Section 39.06 of the Penal Code to increase the criminal penalties for the misuse of official information, particularly when such misuse results in net pecuniary gains. The bill introduces a new Subsection (g), which specifies that if an offense under this section leads to a financial gain, the severity of the felony charge will depend on the amount gained: it will be a third-degree felony for gains under $150,000, a second-degree felony for gains between $150,000 and $300,000, and a first-degree felony for gains of $300,000 or more. Additionally, Subsection (f) is repealed, which previously governed the penalties for such offenses.

The changes made by this Act will only apply to offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025. Offenses occurring before this date will be subject to the laws in effect at that time. The bill received overwhelming support in both the House and Senate, passing with a vote of 145-0 in the House and 30-1 in the Senate.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 39.06 (Penal Code 39)
House Committee Report: Penal Code 39.06 (Penal Code 39)
Engrossed: Penal Code 39.06 (Penal Code 39)
Senate Committee Report: Penal Code 39.06 (Penal Code 39)
Enrolled: Penal Code 39.06 (Penal Code 39)