SB1833 - Relating to the use of a social media platform in furtherance of an offense involving the delivery of a controlled substance; increasing criminal penalties.

      S.B. No. 1833         AN ACT   relating to the use of a social media platform in furtherance of an   offense involving the delivery of a controlled substance;   increasing criminal penalties.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 481, Health and Safety   Code, is amended by adding Section 481.142 to read as follows:           Sec.   481.142.     USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM FOR DELIVERY OF   CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. (a) "Social media platform" has the meaning   assigned by Section 120.001, Business & Commerce Code.           (b)     If it is shown on the trial of an offense under Section   481.112, 481.1121, 481.1123, 481.113, 481.114, 481.119, 481.120,   or 481.122, involving the delivery of a controlled substance that   the defendant used a social media platform in furtherance of the   offense, the punishment for the offense is increased to the   punishment prescribed by the next higher category of offense,   except that the punishment for a felony of the first degree is   increased by five years and the maximum fine for the offense is   doubled.          SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only   to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.     An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is   governed by the law in effect at the time the offense was committed,   and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.  For   purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the   effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred   before that date.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.               ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1833 passed the Senate on   May 7, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 29, Nays 2;   May 20, 2025, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and   requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 22, 2025, House   granted request of the Senate; May 30, 2025, Senate adopted   Conference Committee Report by the following vote:  Yeas 29,   Nays 2.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1833 passed the House, with   amendments, on May 15, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 136,   Nays 3, three present not voting; May 22, 2025, House granted   request of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;   May 29, 2025, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the   following vote:  Yeas 129, Nays 5, three present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________               Date       ______________________________              Governor