LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION March 18, 2009 TO: Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB839 by Hinojosa ( Relating to the punishment for a capital felony committed by a juvenile whose case is transferred to criminal court.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend the Penal Code by adding life as a sentencing option for offenders convicted of capital murder if the case was transferred to the court under Section 54.02, Family Code. The bill would also require that prospective jurors be informed that life imprisonment is mandatory on the conviction of a capital felony for those cases transferred under Section 54.02, Family Code. The bill would also amend the Government Code allowing those individuals whose case was transferred under Section 54.02, Family Code to be eligible for parole release when time served equals 40 calendar years. Under current law and policy, the average time served in prison by persons likely to be affected by the provisions of this bill is greater than five years. Therefore, no significant impact on demands on the adult corrections agencies is anticipated during the first five years following passage. The bill would take effect September 1, 2009. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies:696 Department of Criminal Justice LBB Staff: JOB, ESi, GG, LM LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION March 18, 2009 TO: Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB839 by Hinojosa ( Relating to the punishment for a capital felony committed by a juvenile whose case is transferred to criminal court.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted TO: Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: SB839 by Hinojosa ( Relating to the punishment for a capital felony committed by a juvenile whose case is transferred to criminal court.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board SB839 by Hinojosa ( Relating to the punishment for a capital felony committed by a juvenile whose case is transferred to criminal court.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted SB839 by Hinojosa ( Relating to the punishment for a capital felony committed by a juvenile whose case is transferred to criminal court.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend the Penal Code by adding life as a sentencing option for offenders convicted of capital murder if the case was transferred to the court under Section 54.02, Family Code. The bill would also require that prospective jurors be informed that life imprisonment is mandatory on the conviction of a capital felony for those cases transferred under Section 54.02, Family Code. The bill would also amend the Government Code allowing those individuals whose case was transferred under Section 54.02, Family Code to be eligible for parole release when time served equals 40 calendar years. Under current law and policy, the average time served in prison by persons likely to be affected by the provisions of this bill is greater than five years. Therefore, no significant impact on demands on the adult corrections agencies is anticipated during the first five years following passage. The bill would take effect September 1, 2009. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 696 Department of Criminal Justice 696 Department of Criminal Justice LBB Staff: JOB, ESi, GG, LM JOB, ESi, GG, LM