H.B. No. 2666 amends Section 28.02(d) of the Penal Code to enhance the penalties for the offense of arson involving government buildings. Under the new provisions, the offense will be classified as a felony of the first degree if it is proven during the trial that the arson resulted in bodily injury or death, or if the property targeted was a government building, habitation, or a place of assembly or worship. The previous law only specified a place of assembly or worship as a qualifying property, which has now been removed.

The changes in this bill will apply only to offenses committed on or after the effective date of September 1, 2025. Any offenses occurring before this date will be governed by the law in effect at that time, ensuring that the previous legal standards remain applicable for those cases.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 28.02 (Penal Code 28)
House Committee Report: Penal Code 28.02 (Penal Code 28)