Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB551 by Carona (Relating to civil liability for criminal street gang activity.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Civil Practice and Remedies Code relating to civil liability for criminal street gang activity. The bill would allow governmental entities to seek damages against street gangs for certain acts under the bill, but the amount of money that such suits could bring into the state's treasury is uncertain. To the extent the bill would add a new cause of action in the state's civil courts, the increase in court activity is not anticipated to be significant. The bill would take effect September 1, 2009.
Local Government Impact
Under the provisions of the bill, counties that choose to pursue litigation against persons in a street gang could see a positive fiscal impact depending on the value of the recovered assets; however, there could be some costs associated with litigating a trial. The fiscal impact to local governmental entities is not anticipated to be significant.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 302 Office of the Attorney General