Honorable Joe Moody, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB790 by Lozano (Relating to the definition of an illegal knife.), As Introduced
The provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions are the subject of this analysis. The bill would amend the Penal Code as it relates to the definition of an illegal knife. Under the provisions of the bill a dagger, including but not limited to a dirk, stiletto, and poniard would no longer be considered an illegal knife. Weapons related offenses are punishable at various misdemeanor and felony levels with the punishment based on the specific circumstances of the offense.
Reducing the types of knives considered illegal is expected to result in decreased demands upon the correctional resources of counties or of the State due to fewer individuals potentially being placed under supervision in the community or fewer individuals sentenced to terms of confinement in state correctional institutions. In fiscal year 2016, 1,210 individuals were arrested, 130 were placed under felony community supervision, and 160 were admitted into state correctional institutions for weapons related offenses. A statewide repository containing the level of detail necessary to isolate those individuals who possessed the weapons referenced in the bill's provisions from all other individuals arrested and convicted under the various weapons related offenses is not currently available. This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions would not result in a significant impact on the demand of state correctional resources.