LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 20, 2015

TO:
Honorable Jimmie Don Aycock, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB33 by Zaffirini (Relating to the offense of hazing.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Education Code regarding the offense of hazing. The bill would clarify the definition of hazing, and include an activity that induces a student to violate a penal law or ordinance, or coerces a student to consume alcohol or drugs. The bill would also clarify circumstances under which a person may be immune from prosecution or civil liability by reporting instances of hazing. The bill would add a section regarding the venue for prosecution of a hazing offense. The bill would clarify the requirement for institutions of higher education to provide information to students on the topic of hazing.   

Local Government Impact

School districts would incur some administrative costs to update the Student Code of Conduct and inform staff on the amended definition of hazing, the limitation of immunity for reporting hazing to immunity from civil liability, and the exceptions to immunity.

Institutions of higher education would incur some administrative cost to distribute to each student enrolled in the institution information regarding the topic of hazing.

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, 701 Central Education Agency, 710 Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices, 720 The University of Texas System Administration, 758 Texas State University System, 768 Texas Tech University System Administration, 769 University of North Texas System Administration, 783 University of Houston System Administration
LBB Staff:
UP, JBi, KJo, DEH, RBl, TB, KVe