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The Texas State Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 224 known as the “Deputy Darren Almendarez Act,” authored by State Senator Carol Alvarado.

SB 224 was filed in response to rising crime related to catalytic converter thefts across Harris County and the State of Texas.

The bill is named after Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Almendarez who was killed when he interrupted thieves attempting to steal the catalytic converter from his personal vehicle at a grocery store located in the 2900 block of FM 1960 at Aldine Westfield one year ago.

SB 224 puts in place a comprehensive criminal and regulatory framework by creating a presumption of unauthorized criminal possession, new criminal offenses in the theft and criminal mischief statutes and a penalty enhancement if the thief was in possession of a firearm. The bill also incorporates regulatory provisions to close the business-to-business loophole by clarifying who can buy and sell catalytic converters and requiring record keeping of transactions between businesses.

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“The Deputy Darren Almendarez Act is one step closer to being signed into law,” said Senator Carol Alvarado. “I am proud to have worked with law enforcement, prosecutors, industry stakeholders and my colleagues to ensure that this bill will give law enforcement the tools they need to investigate and prosecute these dangerous criminals to the full extent of the law and help make our communities safer.”

SB 224 now heads to the Texas House of Representatives where it will be sponsored by Chairman Jeff Leach and carried through that chamber’s legislative process. The bill will take immediate effect once passed by the House and signed by the Governor.