LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 22, 2013

TO:	Honorable Abel Herrero, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2568 by Workman (Relating to strict construction of statutes that create or define criminal offenses and penalties.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Government Code to specify that a statute or rule relating to a criminal offense or penalty shall be strictly construed in favor of the actor if any part of the statute or rule is susceptible to more than one objectively reasonable interpretation. The changes in law would apply only to criminal proceedings commencing on or after the bill's effective date. The bill would take effect September 1, 2013.

The Office of Attorney General does not anticipate that the bill will result in a fiscal impact to the agency. The Office of Court Administration does not anticipate any significant fiscal impact to the court system resulting from the bill.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 302 Office of the Attorney General

LBB Staff:

UP, ESi, AM, JGA