Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB535 by Campbell (Relating to the prosecution of and punishment for the offense of unlawfully carrying a handgun by a license holder.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would repeal provisions of the Penal Code related to the offense of the carrying of a weapon on the premises of a place of worship by a license holder. The bill would reduce from a Class A to a Class C misdemeanor the application of this offense in certain circumstances unless the handgun holder was given proper notice that entry with a handgun was forbidden and the holder failed to depart.
According to the Office of Court Administration (OCA), no significant impact to the state court system is anticipated.
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 C misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $500. In addition to the fine, punishment can include up to 180 days of deferred disposition.
Lost revenue from reduced fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact.
According to OCA, no significant impact to local courts is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council