LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT STATEMENT
 
80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 4, 2007

TO:
Honorable Mike Krusee, Chair, House Committee on Transportation
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB995 by Martinez Fischer (Relating to civil and criminal consequences of riding on a coasting motor vehicle without an operator; providing penalties.), As Introduced

The provision of the bill that is the subject of this analysis would amend the Transportation Code by defining offenses for riding on a coasting vehicle without an operator.  A first time offense would be a Class B misdemeanor.  For one prior conviction or if the person was intoxicated at the time, the offense would be punishable as a Class A misdemeanor.  If the person had at least two or more prior convictions, the next offense would become a felony.  If as a result of the offense an individual suffered bodily injury, the offense would be punishable as a felony of the third degree.  The offense would be punishable as a second degree felony if the individual suffers serious bodily injury or death. 

 

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.

 

A third degree felony is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 10 years or less than 2 years, or, in addition to confinement, a fine not to exceed $10,000.

 

A second degree felony is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 20 years or less than 2 years, or, in addition to confinement, a fine not to exceed $10,000.

 

The impact of the bill on correctional populations would depend on how many persons would be prosecuted under the provision of the bill.  For this analysis 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.



Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:
JOB, GG