H.B. No. 4996 amends Section 32.49(c) of the Penal Code to increase the criminal penalty for the offense of refusal to execute the release of a fraudulent lien or claim. Under the new provisions, this offense is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, but it escalates to a felony of the third degree if the owner of the property involved is a public servant known to the actor. This change aims to enhance the legal consequences for individuals who refuse to address fraudulent claims, particularly when they target public officials.

The bill stipulates that the changes will only apply to offenses committed on or after the effective date of September 1, 2025. Any offenses occurring before this date will be governed by the previous law, ensuring that individuals are not retroactively penalized under the new provisions. The bill received strong support in both the House and Senate, indicating a legislative consensus on the need for stricter penalties in cases involving fraudulent liens against public servants.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 32.49 (Penal Code 32)
House Committee Report: Penal Code 32.49 (Penal Code 32)
Engrossed: Penal Code 32.49 (Penal Code 32)
Senate Committee Report: Penal Code 32.49 (Penal Code 32)
Enrolled: Penal Code 32.49 (Penal Code 32)