softheart
05-22-2003, 04:57 PM
May 22
State Senate approves 2 anti-terror bills -- 1 requires response plan;
other spells out new penalties
The Senate approved 2 bills Wednesday aimed at improving state terrorism
protection. One of the measures establishes criminal penalties and makes
certain acts subject to the death penalty.
The measures were sent to the House, which previously approved them, for
consideration of Senate amendments.
Chief sponsor Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, said recent terrorist
attacks in Saudi Arabia and Morocco underscore a continuing threat to
Americans at home and abroad.
"The United States intelligence community believes the Al-Qaeda has
entered an operational period worldwide and that these may include attacks
on the United States," she said.
The primary bill contains many of the recommendations made by a special
task force on homeland security appointed by Gov. Rick Perry after the
Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
It would require the governor to develop a statewide plan to improve the
state's ability to detect, deter and respond to terrorist attacks. It also
would create a Critical Infrastructure Protection Council to coordinate
the state's anti-terrorist activities.
The bill also would exempt from public disclosure certain information
collected, assembled or maintained by governmental agencies about their
plans for responding to terrorist attacks and for protecting potential
targets such as nuclear power plants.
A special state unit also would be set up to coordinate communications
between governmental agencies responding to terrorist attacks and other
emergencies.
The Texas Department of Public Safety would be designated as the central
agency for collecting and analyzing information about terrorist
activities.
The bill also would allow use of the all-volunteer Texas State Guard to
supplement the Texas National Guard to provide homeland security and
community services in event of an emergency.
A related bill would provide new penalties for terrorist-related acts.
Murder committed during a terrorist attack launched with the intent of
paralyzing or influencing the workings of government would be made a
capital offense punishable by death.
Making, possessing or selling a "hoax" bomb or chemical dispensing device
would become a Class A misdemeanor.
(source: Dallas Morning News)
State Senate approves 2 anti-terror bills -- 1 requires response plan;
other spells out new penalties
The Senate approved 2 bills Wednesday aimed at improving state terrorism
protection. One of the measures establishes criminal penalties and makes
certain acts subject to the death penalty.
The measures were sent to the House, which previously approved them, for
consideration of Senate amendments.
Chief sponsor Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, said recent terrorist
attacks in Saudi Arabia and Morocco underscore a continuing threat to
Americans at home and abroad.
"The United States intelligence community believes the Al-Qaeda has
entered an operational period worldwide and that these may include attacks
on the United States," she said.
The primary bill contains many of the recommendations made by a special
task force on homeland security appointed by Gov. Rick Perry after the
Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
It would require the governor to develop a statewide plan to improve the
state's ability to detect, deter and respond to terrorist attacks. It also
would create a Critical Infrastructure Protection Council to coordinate
the state's anti-terrorist activities.
The bill also would exempt from public disclosure certain information
collected, assembled or maintained by governmental agencies about their
plans for responding to terrorist attacks and for protecting potential
targets such as nuclear power plants.
A special state unit also would be set up to coordinate communications
between governmental agencies responding to terrorist attacks and other
emergencies.
The Texas Department of Public Safety would be designated as the central
agency for collecting and analyzing information about terrorist
activities.
The bill also would allow use of the all-volunteer Texas State Guard to
supplement the Texas National Guard to provide homeland security and
community services in event of an emergency.
A related bill would provide new penalties for terrorist-related acts.
Murder committed during a terrorist attack launched with the intent of
paralyzing or influencing the workings of government would be made a
capital offense punishable by death.
Making, possessing or selling a "hoax" bomb or chemical dispensing device
would become a Class A misdemeanor.
(source: Dallas Morning News)