Honorable Nicole Collier, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2498 by Campos (Relating to harassment using a temporary or disposable telephone number; creating a criminal offense.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Penal Code to expand the criminal offense of harassment to include making obscene, intimidating, or threatening electronic communications from a temporary or disposable telephone number provided by technological means. The offense as expanded would be a Class B misdemeanor for a first-time offender and a Class A misdemeanor for a repeat offender.
According to the Office of Court Administration, 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. 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. 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 the Texas Association of Counties, no significant fiscal implication to counties is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Admin, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts