LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 86TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 23, 2019

TO:	Honorable Dennis Bonnen, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives
FROM:	John McGeady, Assistant Director     Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2524 by Anderson, Charles "Doc" (Relating to the prosecution of the criminal offense of theft of service. ), As Passed 2nd House

The probable fiscal impact of implementing the bill is indeterminate due to a lack of information or data available related to the type of theft of service or information specifying the type or conditions of the written rental agreements. These data are necessary to determine the number of written rental agreements that would no longer be included and the corresponding impact not including them would have on the criminal justice system.

The bill would amend the Penal Code as it relates to theft of service. Under the provisions of the bill, in certain circumstances, the amount of time an actor has to return property held under a rental agreement before intent to avoid payment is presumed would be modified, the amount of time until an actor is presumed to have received notification to pay would be reduced, and the definitions of written rental agreement, business day, and service would be clarified. Whether the bill would have a significant fiscal impact is indeterminate due to a lack of statewide information on the type and conditions of written rental agreements. The Office of Court Administration indicates the modifications outlined in the bill's provisions will not result in a significant fiscal impact to the state court system. 

Local Government Impact

The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council

LBB Staff:

WP, LBO, LM, DGi