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Committee backs tougher forgery penalties to deter organized financial forgery schemes
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Summary
The committee reported SB 1379, a bill to raise many forgery offenses from misdemeanors to state-jail felonies or higher when offenses involve commercial or financial instruments; bankers and the FCIC supported the change.
Senator Flores presented SB 1379, a bill to increase criminal penalties for forgery offenses involving commercial and financial instruments, including credit-card authorizations, checks, deeds, contracts and other commercial papers.
Supporters said forgery has become an increasingly sophisticated, organized crime that damages individuals and local institutions. Jeff Headley of the FCIC testified the agency has seen transnational groups and professional criminals commit widespread forgery and identity-fraud schemes and recommended increasing penalties to deter repeat offenders and organized operations. Jamie Baroud, fraud director at Stellar Bank, and representatives of the Texas Bankers Association described rising check-forgery losses and said stronger penalties would help law enforcement and signal that these crimes are serious.
After invited testimony the committee recorded a favorable recommendation (tally reported: 5 ayes, 0 nays). The chair closed testimony and the bill will move to the full Senate for further consideration.
Supporters emphasized that the bill raises penalties where offenses involve important financial documents (wills, deeds, credit-card authorizations, checks and similar instruments) and that banks and victims face steep operational and financial costs. No public opposition was recorded during the committee hearing.
