LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 19, 2011

TO:	Honorable Pete Gallego, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:	John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1715 by Laubenberg (Relating to the rights of victims of property crimes.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to require the prosecuting attorney for the state, the sheriff, police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure to the extent practicable that a victim of a felony level property crime be afforded rights specified in the bill. A judge, prosecuting attorney for the state, peace officer, or law enforcement agency would not be held liable for a failure or inability to provide a right listed in the provisions of the bill. The bill would require a law enforcement agency investigating the crime to provide the victim with a written notice containing the rights pertaining to a victim of a felony level property crime.
 
The proposed changes in statute would apply only to a felony level property crime committed on or after the effective date of the bill, which would be September 1, 2011.
 
Each applicable entity, at a minimum, would incur costs for printing a written notice containing the information about victims' rights.

Local Government Impact

Costs associated with implementing the provisions of the bill would vary depending on the number of felony property crimes committed and current procedures in a locality; however, the amount is not anticipated to be significant.
 
The Travis County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Abilene reported there would be no fiscal impact associated with implementing the provisions of the bill.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council

LBB Staff:

JOB, ESi, TP