| TO: | Honorable Pete Gallego, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB4164 by Moody (Relating to the conduct constituting the offense of graffiti, the creation and criminal prosecution of, and penalties for offenses involving graffiti, and the authority of certain governmental entities to take certain actions designed to prevent or eradicate graffiti.), As Introduced |
The bill would amend the various codes as they relate to the criminal penalties for the offense of graffiti. Under the provisions of the bill, entering a building without the consent of the owner to create graffiti would be punishable as a state jail felony.
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.
Expanding the list of offenses punishable by imprisonment 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. It is expected individuals who would be affected by the provision of this bill are currently being sentenced for other felony offenses.
| Source Agencies: |
| LBB Staff: | JOB, LM
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