TO:	Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice

FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB1831 by Taylor (Relating to the punishment for trafficking of persons, online solicitation of a minor, and prostitution and warning signs regarding certain penalties for trafficking of persons; increasing criminal penalties.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The Texas Education Agency is required to implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the agency may, but is not required to, implement the provision using other appropriations available for that purpose.

The bill would amend various codes as it relates to trafficking of persons, online solicitation of a minor, prostitution, and warning signs regarding penalties for trafficking of persons. Under the provisions of the bill, criminal penalties for certain offenses would be increased or enhanced to the next higher offense level if it involved a school as outlined in the bill. Additionally, schools would be required to post warning signs of increased penalties for trafficking of persons as outlined in the bill.

The Office of Court Administration, Texas Education Agency, and Texas Department of Criminal Justice indicate the modifications outlined in the bill's provisions would not result in a significant fiscal impact. This analysis assumes implementing the provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions would not result in a significant impact on the demand for state correctional resources.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 87TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


April 21, 2021