Monitoring the SessionHB 153
Filed
Based on general knowledge of Texas law, not the bill text, entering fenced or posted property without consent is already covered by the general criminal trespass statute, and harming animals is covered by existing cruelty provisions. This bill mainly adds a heavier, zoo-specific felony on top of that. The higher penalty is a real change, so confidence stays low.
Already a crimeInitial review · graded Nov 9, 2026 · How we grade
relating to the creation of the criminal offense of trespass in a facility housing an animal and to restitution for property damage resulting from that offense.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Step into an animal’s cage, get a felony. Harass and hurt the animal? Third-degree felony, plus restitution.
The bill creates a new offense for entering a cage, enclosure or other animal area at a zoo or similar facility without permission. It reaches any visitor or other person who goes into an animal's space at a facility run for public visitation, conservation, education or science. That entry becomes a state jail felony, rising to a third-degree felony if the animal was harassed and hurt or killed, and a convicted person must pay the facility for the damage, including the animal's injury or death.
Labels: BACK FROM THE DEAD. Same text as a bill filed before that died: 89R HB 1720 (Did not pass). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R and 89R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 89R and 90R. Checked against 88R and 89R only.
90R-HB153 · 2026-11-09
relating to the creation of the criminal offense of trespass in a facility housing an animal and to restitution for property damage resulting from that offense.
Step into an animal’s cage, get a felony. Harass and hurt the animal? Third-degree felony, plus restitution.
The bill creates a new offense for entering a cage, enclosure or other animal area at a zoo or similar facility without permission. It reaches any visitor or other person who goes into an animal's space at a facility run for public visitation, conservation, education or science. That entry becomes a state jail felony, rising to a third-degree felony if the animal was harassed and hurt or killed, and a convicted person must pay the facility for the damage, including the animal's injury or death.
[x] ALREADY A CRIMEanalysis confidence 40%
Based on general knowledge of Texas law, not the bill text, entering fenced or posted property without consent is already covered by the general criminal trespass statute, and harming animals is covered by existing cruelty provisions. This bill mainly adds a heavier, zoo-specific felony on top of that. The higher penalty is a real change, so confidence stays low.
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Not tied to this bill.
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Aug 6, 2024 to Feb 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
$36,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Sep 20, 2024 to Feb 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100981675, 101026167, 101035798, 101038806.
$34,000.00
Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Oct 1, 2024 to Feb 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100981675, 101038806.
$17,000.00
Also funds 33 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Oct 21, 2024 to Oct 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Nov 18, 2024 to Feb 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100981675, 101038806.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
$36,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Sep 20, 2024 to Feb 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100981675, 101026167, 101035798, 101038806.
$34,000.00
Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Oct 1, 2024 to Feb 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100981675, 101038806.
$17,000.00
Also funds 33 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Oct 21, 2024 to Oct 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Nov 18, 2024 to Feb 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100981675, 101038806.
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
Analysis of text version I by a super-expensive superintelligence, Nov 9, 2026, against the published rubric.
Filed 2 times: 89R and now. Checked against 88R and 89R only.
by Rep. Gervin-Hawkins, same lead author · Did not pass · same text
Introduced textLast action, May 14, 2025: Committee report sent to Calendars
Relating to the creation of the criminal offense of trespass in a facility housing an animal and to restitution for property damage resulting from that trespass.
Caption, 89R bill history
Texas House · Filed Nov 9, 2026
11/09/2026 H Filed
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Nov 10, 2026 at 2:31 AM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Animals
Crimes--Against Property
TRESPASS
The text as introduced · 401 words
90R3465 JDK-F By: Gervin-Hawkins H.B. No. 153 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the creation of the criminal offense of trespass in a facility housing an animal and to restitution for property damage resulting from that offense. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 30, Penal Code, is amended by adding Section 30.08 to read as follows: Sec. 30.08. TRESPASS IN FACILITY HOUSING AN ANIMAL. (a) In this section, "harass" means to engage in any act that: (1) demonstrates a disregard for the well-being of an animal; or (2) disrupts the normal behavior patterns of an animal, including disrupting the animal's feeding, watering, resting, or breeding. (b) A person commits an offense if the person enters an indoor or outdoor facility housing an animal that is operated for the purpose of public visitation, conservation, education, or science, including a zoo, and the person: (1) enters a cage, enclosure, or other area where an animal is exhibited or housed; and (2) knows the person has no legal authority, license, or permission to enter. (c) An offense under this section is a state jail felony, except that the offense is a felony of the third degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that: (1) the actor harassed the animal; and (2) the animal suffered injury or death. (d) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the person entered the cage, enclosure, or other area to aid another person or an animal located in the cage, enclosure, or other area. (e) It is not a defense to prosecution under this section that: (1) entry to the cage, enclosure, or other area where the animal was exhibited or housed was not sufficiently guarded, locked, or made otherwise inaccessible; or (2) injury to the animal was necessary to protect the person who entered the cage, enclosure, or other area from injury or death. SECTION 2. Article 42.037, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Subsection (y) to read as follows: (y) If a defendant is convicted of an offense under Section 30.08, Penal Code, the court shall order the defendant to make restitution to the facility for the cost of any damage, loss, or destruction as a result of the offense, including the injury or death of the animal. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.