LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 86TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 16, 2019

TO:	Honorable Terry Canales, Chair, House Committee on Transportation
FROM:	John McGeady, Assistant Director     Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB4070 by Oliverson (Relating to the prosecution of the criminal offense of passing a school bus; increasing a criminal penalty.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Transportation Code as it relates to the offense of passing a school bus that is stopped on a highway to receive or discharge a student.  Under current statute the punishment for this offense is a Class A misdemeanor or state jail felony, depending upon the circumstances of the offense.  Under the provisions of the bill, the punishment for this offense would be increased to a second degree felony if the person causes serious bodily injury to another.

The Office of Court Administration indicates the modifications outlined in the bill's provisions would not result in a significant fiscal impact. This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions for criminal offenses would not result in a significant impact on state correctional populations or the demand for state correctional resources.

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. Lost revenue from reduced fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council

LBB Staff:

WP, JGAn, LM, JPo, AF