Honorable Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair, Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1117 by Creighton ( Relating to the offense of failure to comply with an order from a fire marshal.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Local Government Code modifying the offense for failure to comply with an order from a fire marshal to be a Class C misdemeanor. If the failure to comply resulted in property damage of $200 or more, or bodily injury or death then the offense would be punishable as a Class B misdemeanor.
The bill would go into effect September 1, 2017.
Local Government Impact
According to the Texas Association of Counties (TAC), the fiscal impact to counties to implement the provisions of the bill is not anticipated to be significant.
A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days, or both. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal implication.
A Class C misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $500. Costs associated with enforcement and prosecution could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact. In addition to the fine, punishment can include up to 180 days of deferred disposition.