LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 24, 2003

TO:	Honorable Terry Keel, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB343 by Dutton (Relating to the abolition of the death penalty.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure by abolishing the death penalty.  The change in law would apply only to offenses committed after September 1, 2003.  Under current law and policy, and under the proposed bill, the average time served in prison by persons likely to be affected by the provisions of this bill is greater than five years.  Therefore, no additional impact on demands on the adult corrections agencies are anticipated during the first five years following passage of this bill.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:	696 Department of Criminal Justice
LBB Staff:	JK, JO, WK, VDS, GG