LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 22, 2013

TO:	Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB1712 by Rodríguez (Relating to the prosecution of the offense of prostitution.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would give a court the ability to defer proceedings to prosecute a prostitution offense to allow the defendant to participate in a pretrial intervention program.  If the defendant completes the program within a year of the deferral, the court may dismiss the proceedings.  The bill would also distinguish the severity of the offense of prostitution based first on whether an individual offers or engages in sexual conduct for a fee or solicits another in a public place to engage in sexual conduct for a fee, and second on the number of prior offenses. 

The Office of Court Administration anticipates no significant fiscal impact associated with the bill.

No significant impact on state correctional populations, programs, or workload is anticipated from any provisions of the bill that authorize or require a change in the sanctions applicable to adults convicted of felony crimes.

Local Government Impact

The bill would modify misdemeanor offenses. Changes in costs associated with enforcement, prosecution, and confinement are not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact. Changes in revenue from fines imposed and collected are not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council

LBB Staff:

UP, ESi, KKR, JGA