The bill, H.B. No. 2915, proposes an amendment to Section 32.44(c) of the Penal Code, which pertains to the criminal penalty for rigging a publicly exhibited contest. The key change in this legislation is the reclassification of the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony, thereby increasing the severity of the penalty for individuals found guilty of this crime.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the changes will only apply to offenses committed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Offenses that occur prior to this date will be governed by the existing law, ensuring that individuals are prosecuted under the legal framework in place at the time of their offense.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 32.44 (Penal Code 32)