Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1824 by Burton (Relating to punishment for the offense of forgery and to a fee imposed on certain defendants who commit the offense.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Penal Code as it relates to the punishment for the offense of forgery and to a fee imposed on certain defendants who commit the offense. Under the provisions of the bill, forgery would be modified to include a value ladder. The punishment for certain kinds of forgery conducted to obtain or attempt to obtain a property or service would range from a misdemeanor to a felony with the punishment level increasing in severity based on the pecuniary value of the property or service obtained through forgery. 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
A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. 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.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 696 Department of Criminal Justice