Honorable Nicole Collier, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3729 by Shaheen (Relating to creating the criminal offense of possession of an animal by a person who has been previously convicted of an offense involving animal cruelty.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Penal Code to create the offense of possession of an animal by person convicted of animal cruelty. The offense created by this bill would be a Class B misdemeanor.
According to the Office of Court Administration (OCA), no significant fiscal impact to the state court system is anticipated.
Local Government Impact
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.
According to OCA, although the bill creates a new criminal offense, any increased caseload would likely be absorbed by existing resources. While local government might see an increase in court cost revenue from the new offense, no significant fiscal impact to local courts is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council