LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 23, 2007

TO:	Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB1345 by Seliger (Relating to the creation of a criminal offense concerning the making of certain fraudulent claims.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Penal Code by creating a criminal offense concerning the making of certain fradulent claims.  Punishment for making fradulent claims would range from a Class C Misdemeanor (less than $50) to a first degree felony ($200,000 or more) and would depend on the total value of the claim involved.  Under the provison of the bill a person convicted of making fradulent claims would be required to pay restitution, including court costs and attorney's fees, to an affected person.

This bill would take effect September 1, 2007. 

It is assumed that the number of offenders 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, LM, KJG