LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 23, 2017

TO:
Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB762 by Menéndez (Relating to the prosecution of offenses involving cruelty to animals and to the inclusion of related conduct in the definition of family violence; increasing a criminal penalty.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Family Code and Penal Code as they relate to the prosecution of offenses involving cruelty to animals and to the inclusion of related conduct in the definition of family violence. Under the provisions of the bill, the definition of family violence would be expanded to include certain acts of animal cruelty involving family or other related persons. The bill would also reduce the number of previous convictions for certain acts of animal cruelty required for penalty enhancement if an individual commits additional offenses related to certain acts of animal cruelty.
 
The Office of Court Administration and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice do not anticipate a significant fiscal impact. This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions would not result in a significant impact on the demand for state correctional resources.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2017 and apply only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of the Act.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 696 Department of Criminal Justice
LBB Staff:
UP, AG, LM, RFL, KJo, JGA