LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 15, 2007

TO:	Honorable Aaron Pena, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1258 by West, George "Buddy" (Relating to the prosecution of the offense of interference with police service animals.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Penal Code as it relates to interference with police service animals to include injuring or engaging in conduct likely to injure the animal in a manner that would materially and permanently affect the ability of the animal to perform as a police service animal, punishable as a felony of the second degree.  The bill would also increase the punishment for killing or engaging in conduct likely to kill a police service animal to a felony of the second degree.  Killing or engaging in conduct likely to kill a police service animal is punishable as a felony of the third degree. 

 

The bill would take effect on September 1, 2007 and apply to an offense committed on or after the effective date.

 

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

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

696 Department of Criminal Justice

LBB Staff:

JOB, ES, GG, TM