The bill would amend the Penal Code to make evading arrest or detention punishable as a state jail felony if the actor has a prior conviction for evading arrest or detention.  The offense is currently punishable as a Class B misdemeanor.  

 
A Class B Misdemeanor is punishable by confinement in a county jail for any term of not more than 180 days, or, in addition to confinement, a fine not to exceed $2,000.
 
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.
 
Increasing the penalty for any criminal offense is expected to result in increased demands upon the correctional resources of counties or of the State due to longer terms of probation, or, longer terms of confinement in county jails or prison.  When an offense is changed from a misdemeanor to a felony, there is a transfer of the burden of confinement and/or supervision of convicted offenders from the counties to the State.  The probable impact of implementing the provision of this bill cannot be determined due to the unavailability of reliable data or information related to the number of times evading arrest or detention is committed by an actor with a prior conviction of evading arrest or detention.