LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 26, 2007

TO:	Honorable Aaron Pena, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1605 by Zedler (Relating to the punishment for the offense of trafficking of persons.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Penal Code to increase the punishment for trafficking of persons for the purpose of conduct that constitutes public indecency to a felony of the first degree.  It is currently punishable as a felony of the second degree except that it is punishable as a felony of the first degree if the person trafficked is under 14 years of age or death occurs.

The bill would take effect on September 1, 2007 and apply to offenses committed on or after that date.

It is assumed that the number of persons 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.

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