The provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions for criminal offenses are the subject of this analysis. The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code and Code of Criminal Procedure as they relate to the punishments for the possession of certain amounts of controlled substances. The bill would reduce the punishment for possession of controlled substances in Penalty Groups 1 (less than one gram), 1-A (fewer than 20 abuse units), and 2 (less than one gram) from a state jail felony to a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum term of confinement of 180 days. The bill would also reduce the punishment for possession of less than a gram of controlled substances in Penalty groups 1 and 2 in a drug-free zone from a third degree felony to a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum term of confinement of 180 days. Offenders with certain previous convictions would not be subject to the bill's provisions.

In fiscal year 2014, 6,430 people subject to the bill's provisions were admitted to state correctional facilities and 7,166 were placed on felony community supervision. Certain offenders with previous convictions would not be subject to the penalty reductions included in the bill; these offenders are not included in the figures listed below. Assuming sentencing patterns and release policies not addressed in this bill remain constant, the probable impact of implementing the provisions of the bill during each of the first five years following passage, in terms of daily demand on the adult corrections agencies, is estimated as follows: