LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 15, 2013

TO:	Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1862 by Dutton (Relating to the criminal consequences of engaging in certain conduct with respect to a switchblade knife.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Penal Code to eliminate the offense of possessing, manufacturing, transporting, repairing, or selling a switchblade knife.  Under current law this offense is a Class A misdemeanor. A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both.

Eliminating a misdemeanor offense is expected to decrease demands on county correctional agency resources due to fewer community supervision placements and fewer terms of county jail confinement. In the case of the bill, it is assumed that the number of offenders supervised or incarcerated under this statute would not significantly impact state correctional agencies' workload and programs.

Local Government Impact

Reduced costs associated with enforcement, prosecution, and confinement are not anticipated to be significant. Reduced revenue from fewer fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to be significant.

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

UP, ESi, GG, JPo, KKR