Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3224 by Madden (Relating to the prosecution and punishment of the offense of arson. ), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Penal Code to make intentionally starting a fire or causing an explosion punishable as a state jail felony if a building belonging to another person is recklessly damaged or destroyed or recklessly causes another person to suffer bodily injury or death. The bill would increase the punishment of recklessly damaging a building, habitation, or vehicle if the person intentionally started a fire in or on a building, habitation, or vehicle with the intent to damage or destroy property of another or injure another from a felony of the third degree to a felony of the first degree or felony of the second degree depending on the circumstances. The bill would also allow, with the consent of the appropriate local county or district attorney, the attorney general to have concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute an offense under this section.
The bill would take effect on September 1, 2009 and would apply to an offense committed on or after the effective date.
It is assumed many persons convicted under this statute are currently being charged with other offenses and the bill 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.