Honorable Abel Herrero, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
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 Introduced
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Government Code to create an offense of knowingly operating an unmanned aircraft over certain facilities and the aircraft is not higher than 400 feet above ground level. The bill provides exceptions. 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.