The provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions are the subject of this analysis. The bill would amend various codes as they relate to the consequences for an elected official who threatens, punishes, or intimidates a person based on the persons' religious beliefs. Under current law, official oppression is punishable at the misdemeanor and felony level with the punishment based on the specific circumstances of the offense.

A third-degree felony is punishable by confinement in prison for two to ten years and an optional fine not to exceed $10,000.

Expanding the list of behaviors for which a criminal penalty can be applied is expected to increase correctional supervision and/or incarceration populations and thereby increase demands on county and/or state correctional resources. In fiscal year 2014, fewer than 10 people were arrested, fewer than 10 were placed under felony community supervision, and fewer than 10 were admitted into state correctional facilities for the offense of official oppression. This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill would not result in a significant impact on state correctional populations, programs, or workloads.