LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 87TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


April 18, 2021

TO:	Honorable Nicole Collier, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence

FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	HB4485 by Guillen (Relating to the release of a defendant arrested for a misdemeanor punishable by fine only.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to allow a magistrate to release without bond a defendant charged with a misdemeanor punishable by fine only, even if the defendant has previously been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor offense that is not punishable by fine only. Under current law, defendants with previous felony or misdemeanor offenses that are not punishable by fine may not be released without bond for fine-only offenses.

Based on information provided by the Office of Court Administration, no significant fiscal impact to the state court system is anticipated as a result from implementing the provisions of the bill.

Local Government Impact

According to the Office of Court Administration, no significant fiscal impact to local units of government is anticipated.