TO:	Honorable Terry Keel, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB581 by Reyna (Relating to the punishment for the offense of stealing or receiving a stolen check or similar sight order.), As Introduced

The bill would amend the Penal Code by enhancing the punishment for the offense of stealing or receiving a stolen check or similar sight order from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony. The change in law made by this Act would apply only to an offense committed on or after September 1, 2005.
 
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.
 
Assuming that sentencing patterns and release policies not addressed in this bill remain constant, the probable impact of implementing the provisions of the bill during each of the first five years following passage, in terms of daily demand upon the adult corrections agencies, is estimated as follows:

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, GG