LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 22, 2005

TO:	Honorable Terry Keel, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB489 by Casteel (Relating to the prosecution and punishment of the offense of criminal trespass.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Penal Code to add a type of criminal trespass as a Class C misdemeanor and another as a Class A misdemeanor. The bill also would add a defense to prosecution for the offense for employees of an electric utility performing duties within the scope of employment.

The bill would take effect immediately if it receives the required two-thirds vote in both houses; otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2005 and would apply only to offenses committed on or after the effective date.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council

LBB Staff:

JOB, KJG, DLBa