Indiana 2024 2024 Regular Session

Indiana House Bill HB1053 Introduced / Fiscal Note

Filed 01/25/2024

                    LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
200 W. Washington St., Suite 301
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-0696
iga.in.gov
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6340	NOTE PREPARED: Jan 25, 2024
BILL NUMBER: HB 1053	BILL AMENDED: 
SUBJECT: Possession of Controlled Substance Paraphernalia.
FIRST AUTHOR: Rep. Garcia Wilburn	BILL STATUS: CR Adopted - 1
st
 House
FIRST SPONSOR: 
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL	IMPACT: State & Local
XDEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: This bill removes provisions related to testing the strength, effectiveness, or purity
of a controlled substance in the criminal laws concerning possession of controlled substance paraphernalia.
Effective Date:  July 1, 2024.
Explanation of State Expenditures: 
Explanation of State Revenues: If fewer court cases occur and fines are collected, revenue to both the
Common School Fund and the state General Fund would decrease. Any reduction in revenue is expected to
be minor.
The maximum fine for a Class A misdemeanor is $5,000 and $500 for a Class C misdemeanor. Criminal fines
are deposited in the Common School Fund. The total fee revenue per case would range between $113 and
$135. The amount of court fees deposited will vary depending on whether the case is filed in a court of
record or a municipal court. The following linked document describes the fees and distribution of the
revenue: Court fees imposed in criminal, juvenile, and civil violation cases.
Additional Information – OFMA found 247 convictions between CY 2018 and 2023 in the Odyssey case
management system and abstracts of judgment for possessing a device to test the strength, effectiveness, or
purity of a controlled substance as either a Class A or C misdemeanor. 
Explanation of Local Expenditures: Counties may save money in two ways: First, public defenders and
county paid pauper attorneys would not be required to represent these persons. Second, the county jail
HB 1053	1 population and probation offices may have fewer commitments. Any reduction in either the county jail
population or the probation caseload is expected to be minor. 
A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in a county jail while a Class C misdemeanor is
punishable by up to 60 days in a county jail. The average cost per day to incarcerate a prisoner is
approximately $64.53 based on the per diem payments reported by U.S. Marshals to house federal prisoners
in 11 county jails across Indiana during CY 2021.
Explanation of Local Revenues: If fewer criminal filings occur and convictions are entered, less revenue
will be collected by certain local units. Any revenue reduction is expected to be minor. 
If the case is filed in a court of record, the county general fund will receive $47.40 and qualifying
municipalities will receive a share of $3.60. If the case is filed in a municipal court, the county receives $30,
and the municipality will receive $46. The following linked document describes the fees and distribution of
the revenue: Court fees imposed in criminal, juvenile, and civil violation cases.
State Agencies Affected: 
Local Agencies Affected: Trial courts, local law enforcement agencies.
Information Sources: Odyssey Case Management System, Indiana Supreme Court
Fiscal Analyst: Mark Goodpaster,  317-232-9852.
HB 1053	2