Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for destruction of a flag.

HB 4247 amends Texas Penal Code Section 42.11(d) to upgrade the criminal penalty for destroying a flag from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony. This bill directly affects individuals who intentionally destroy a flag, increasing potential penalties for this specific offense. The key provision changes the legal classification of the crime, making it a more serious offense with higher penalties. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to flag destruction committed on or after that date.