LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 13, 2009

TO:	Honorable Pete Gallego, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB148 by Smith, Todd (Relating to including within the offense of barratry and solicitation of professional employment certain solicitations made during certain periods.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Penal Code relating to the offense of barratry if certain professionals, with the intent to obtain employment, solicit a person involved in a personal injury sustained in an accident or disaster involving the solicited person or a relative of the person before the 31st day after the date the accident or disaster occurred. The offense would be a Class A misdemeanor. The bill would take effect September 1, 2009.

A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000, confinement in jail up to one year, or a combination of both.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, ESi, DB