LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 19, 2015

TO:	Honorable Abel Herrero, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB603 by Davis, Sarah (relating to the creation of the offense of unlawful dissemination of certain visual material; providing penalties.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

Due to a lack of reliable data regarding the prevalence of the behaviors considered criminal offenses under the provisions of the bill, there could be an indeterminate fiscal impact to the state.

The bill would amend the Penal Code to create the offense of unlawful dissemination of certain visual material. Under the provisions of the bill, a person commits an offense by intentionally disseminating certain sexual visual material without the consent of the persons included in the visual material. This offense would be punishable as a state jail felony. The bill also provides certain defenses to prosecution from the offense.

Expanding the types of behavior which are considered criminal offenses is expected to result in increased demands upon the correctional resources of the state due to additional persons who may be sentenced to terms of community supervision or confinement in state jail. However, the fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time due to a lack of reliable data regarding the prevalence of the behaviors considered criminal offenses under the provisions of the bill.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

UP, KJo, ESi, LM