Relating to reducing the criminal penalty for the offense of cockfighting.

HB 4644 reduces criminal penalties for cockfighting in Texas by lowering the most severe offenses from a state jail felony to a Class A misdemeanor. This applies specifically to cases involving weapons or injury (previously classified under Subsections (b)(1) and (2) of the Penal Code). Other cockfighting offenses remain Class C misdemeanors, with repeat offense rules unchanged for certain violations. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and only applies to offenses committed after that date.