TO: | Honorable Terry Keel, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence |
FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board |
IN RE: | HB970 by Keel (Relating to the required mental state for commission of certain misdemeanor offenses.), As Introduced |
The bill would amend the Penal Code to prohibit a municipal ordinance or an order by a county commissioners court from dispensing with the requirement of a culpable mental state (actions that are intentional, knowing, reckless, or criminal negligence) in the definition of an offense that is punishable by a fine only, with the fine not to exceed $500. The bill would take effect September 1, 2005.
If an ordinance or order exists that does not allow for consideration of a culpable mental state, removal or revision of the ordinance or order would have an insignificant fiscal impact, as the changes would be administrative. Results of changes to ordinances or orders would possibly have an impact on court procedures and fines collected, but it is expected that the fiscal impact would be insignificant.
Source Agencies: |
LBB Staff: | JOB, KJG, DLBa
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