LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 13, 2015

TO:
Honorable Donna Campbell, Chair, Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB1481 by Murphy (Relating to prohibiting the operation of an unmanned aircraft over certain facilities; creating a criminal offense.), As Engrossed

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Government Code to create an offense of intentionally operating an unmanned aircraft over a critical facility, allowing an unmanned aircraft to make contact with a critical facility, or allowing an unmanned aircraft to go within close enough distance of an critical facility that is close enough to interfere with the operations of or cause a disturbance to the facility. The bill provides exceptions and definitions. The offense is a Class B misdemeanor. The offense is a Class A misdemeanor if the individual has been convicted of previous offenses previously.
 
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.
 
A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days, or both.

Local Government Impact

Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal implication.


Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:
UP, FR, KJo, SD, EK