LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT STATEMENT
 
78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 9, 2003

TO:
Honorable Rick Hardcastle, Chair, House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock
 
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB2510 by Hardcastle (Relating to criminal offenses involving acts against certain activities involving animals or crops.), As Introduced

The bill would amend the Penal Code by adding a section relating to the interference with animal activities or research crops.  The offenses created by the bill would be punishable as either a Class A misdemeanor or a state jail felony, depending on whether the offender prevents an individual from lawfully participating in an activity involving animals or crops, or if the offender causes damage or physical disruption of the operations of the facility. 

A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by confinement in county jail for a term not to exceed one year, a fine not to exceed $4,000, or both fine and imprisonment.

A state jail felony is punishable by confinement in a state jail for any term of not more than two years or less than 180 days, or, in addition to confinement, a fine not to exceed $10,000.

It is assumed that the number of offenders convicted under this statute would not result in a significant impact on the programs and workload of state corrections agencies or on the demand for resources and services of those agencies.



Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:
JK, GG