The provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions are the subject of this analysis. The bill would amend the Natural Resources Code to create a new second degree felony offense related to purchasing certain oil and gas-related products without applicable tenders or permits. The bill would also enhance the punishment for a current oil and gas related offense from a third degree felony to a second degree felony.

In fiscal year 2014, 19 people were arrested, fewer than 10 were placed on felony community supervision, and fewer than 10 were admitted to state correctional institutions for the existing oil and gas-related offense referenced in the bill which would be enhanced from a third degree felony to a second degree felony. Data are not available to indicate the prevalence of the behavior described by the new offense included in the bill. However, this analysis assumes the provisions of the bill would not significantly impact state correctional populations, programs, or workloads.