State Senate approves 2 anti-terror bills -- 1 requires...

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. 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.