Honorable Garnet Coleman, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2556 by White, Molly (Relating to the prosecution and punishment of certain outdoor burning violations.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Water Code to amend offenses associated with the outdoor burning of certain materials. The bill would specify that conduct that violates a municipal ordinance and the rules put forth by the bill, would only be permitted to be prosecuted under the municipal ordinance provided that the violation is not a second or subsequent violation and the violation does not involve the burning of certain materials.
Local Government Impact
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. A Class C misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $500.
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.