Honorable Matt Shaheen, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB401 by González, Mary (Relating to a criminal offense for creating and distributing certain misleading videos with the intent to influence the outcome of an election.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Class A misdemeanor offense of creating and causing a deep fake video to be published or distributed with the intent of injuring a candidate or influencing the result of an election to prohibit the offense at any time.
It is assumed that any fiscal impact and any impact on state correctional populations or on the demand for state correctional resources would not be significant.
Local Government Impact
While it is assumed that any fiscal impact to units of local government associated with enforcement, prosecution, supervision, or confinement would not be significant, it would be dependent on the number of defendants who may be prosecuted under the amended offense.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council