Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB25 by Guillen (Relating to the carrying of certain weapons in a watercraft.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Penal Code as it relates to the carrying of certain weapons in a watercraft. Under the provisions of the bill, certain carrying of a weapon on a watercraft would now be punishable as a Class A Misdemeanor or a third degree felony if the watercraft as defined by the newly added section is a premise that is licensed or issued a permit by this state for the sale of alcoholic beverages.
The bill would take effect on September 1, 2011 and apply only to an offense committed on or after the effective date.
For this analysis, it is assumed that the number of offenders convicted under this statute would not result in a significant impact on the programs and workload of state corrections agencies or on the demand for resources and services of those agencies.
Local Government Impact
The bill would ammend Chaper 46, Penal Code, to give a watercraft the same status as a motor vehicle with regards to carrying certain weapons. Costs to law enforcement would vary depending on the number of new offenses under the provisions of the bill but are not anticipated to be significant.