TO: | Honorable Pete Gallego, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence |
FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
IN RE: | SB1273 by Carona (Relating to the prosecution of and punishment for the theft of certain electronic equipment and interference with certain radio frequencies.), As Engrossed |
The bill would amend the Penal Code by adding to the list of offenses punishable as a state jail felony theft of a radio, data terminal or computer capable of two-way communication owned or issues to a law enforcement agency, a fire department, or an emergency medical service whose value is less than $20,000. The bill would also create the offense of interference with a radio frequency licensed to a government entity punishable as a class A misdemeanor and provide for enhancement to a state jail felony if the offense was committed with the intent to facilitate the commission of another offense or interfere with the ability of a law enforcement agency, fire department, or emergency medical service provider to respond to an emergency.
Any impact on the adult correctional population will likely be as a result of the provision which allows for the penalty to be enhanced from that of a misdemeanor to a felony. However, the number of individuals convicted under the provisions of the bill is not expected to result in increased demands upon the correctional resources of counties or of the State since it is assumed individuals who would be affected by the provisions of this bill are currently being sentenced for other offenses.
Source Agencies: |
LBB Staff: | JOB, GG, TMP, LM
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