LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 75th Regular Session March 25, 1997 TO: Honorable Allen Place, Chair IN RE: House Bill No. 521 Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence By: Galloway, Carolyn House Austin, Texas FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on HB521 ( Relating to the punishment for the offense of burglary of a vehicle.) this office has detemined the following: Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by HB521-As Introduced Implementing the provisions of the bill would result in a net negative impact of $(5,445,794) to General Revenue Related Funds through the biennium ending August 31, 1999. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. Fiscal Analysis The bill would enhance the punishment for the offense of burglary of a vehicle from a Class A misdemeanor to a felony of the third degree. Methodolgy Enhancing the penalty for the offense of burglary of a vehicle from a Class A misdemeanor to a felony of the third degree would increase the demand for prison capacity. In order to estimate the number of misdemeanor offenders that would be enhanced to third degree felons, future prison admissions are based on admissions in fiscal year 1992. In fiscal year 1992, the offense of burglary of a motor vehicle was punishable as a felony of the third degree and thus reflects the provisions of the bill. Costs of incarceration are estimated on the basis of $37.50 per inmate per day, reflecting approximate costs of either operating state facilities or contracting with other entities. No costs are included for prison construction. Options available to address the increased demand for prison capacity that would result from implementation of this bill include construction of new prisons and contracting with counties or private entities. The probable fiscal implications of implementing the provisions of the bill during each of the first five years following passage is estimated as follows: Five Year Impact: Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 0001 1998 ($1,097,869) 1998 (4,347,925) 2000 (8,396,431) 2001 (11,624,711) 2002 (13,798,673) Net Impact on General Revenue Related Funds: The probable fiscal implication to General Revenue related funds during each of the first five years is estimated as follows: Fiscal Year Probable Net Postive/(Negative) General Revenue Related Funds Funds 1998 ($1,097,869) 1999 (4,347,925) 2000 (8,396,431) 2001 (11,624,711) 2002 (13,798,673) Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as the provisions of the bill are in effect. Some positive fiscal implication to counties would be anticipated due to reduced population in county jails. Source: Agencies: LBB Staff: JK ,CB ,GG