LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION May 15, 2013 TO: Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB1606 by Moody (Relating to the prosecution of the offenses of harassment and stalking.), As Engrossed No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend the Penal Code as it relates the offenses of harassment and stalking. Under the bill the words annoy, alarm, embarrass, and offend would be removed from the definition of harassment. The bill also removes the specific types of communication forbidden and the specific manner in which someone may be threatened from the definition of this offense. The bill also broadens the definition of stalking by adding repeated conduct that constitutes harassment as well as abused or tormented as possible elements of this offense. The offense of harassment is punishable by a Class B or A misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances. The offense of stalking is punishable as a third degree felony or a second degree felony, depending upon the circumstances. The bill broadens the definition of harassment and stalking. Broadening the definition of any criminal offense is expected to increase demands on state and/or county correctional agency resources due to longer terms of community supervision, county jail confinement, state correctional institution confinement, and/or parole. However, in the case of the bill, it is assumed that the number of offenders supervised or incarcerated under this statute would not significantly impact state correctional agencies' workload and programs. Local Government Impact Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact. Source Agencies: LBB Staff: UP, ESi, GG, JPo, KKR
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
May 15, 2013
TO: Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB1606 by Moody (Relating to the prosecution of the offenses of harassment and stalking.), As Engrossed
TO: Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB1606 by Moody (Relating to the prosecution of the offenses of harassment and stalking.), As Engrossed
Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
HB1606 by Moody (Relating to the prosecution of the offenses of harassment and stalking.), As Engrossed
HB1606 by Moody (Relating to the prosecution of the offenses of harassment and stalking.), As Engrossed
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 as it relates the offenses of harassment and stalking. Under the bill the words annoy, alarm, embarrass, and offend would be removed from the definition of harassment. The bill also removes the specific types of communication forbidden and the specific manner in which someone may be threatened from the definition of this offense. The bill also broadens the definition of stalking by adding repeated conduct that constitutes harassment as well as abused or tormented as possible elements of this offense. The offense of harassment is punishable by a Class B or A misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances. The offense of stalking is punishable as a third degree felony or a second degree felony, depending upon the circumstances. The bill broadens the definition of harassment and stalking. Broadening the definition of any criminal offense is expected to increase demands on state and/or county correctional agency resources due to longer terms of community supervision, county jail confinement, state correctional institution confinement, and/or parole. However, in the case of the bill, it is assumed that the number of offenders supervised or incarcerated under this statute would not significantly impact state correctional agencies' workload and programs.
The bill would amend the Penal Code as it relates the offenses of harassment and stalking. Under the bill the words annoy, alarm, embarrass, and offend would be removed from the definition of harassment. The bill also removes the specific types of communication forbidden and the specific manner in which someone may be threatened from the definition of this offense. The bill also broadens the definition of stalking by adding repeated conduct that constitutes harassment as well as abused or tormented as possible elements of this offense.
The offense of harassment is punishable by a Class B or A misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances. The offense of stalking is punishable as a third degree felony or a second degree felony, depending upon the circumstances. The bill broadens the definition of harassment and stalking. Broadening the definition of any criminal offense is expected to increase demands on state and/or county correctional agency resources due to longer terms of community supervision, county jail confinement, state correctional institution confinement, and/or parole. However, in the case of the bill, it is assumed that the number of offenders supervised or incarcerated under this statute would not significantly impact state correctional agencies' workload and programs.
Local Government Impact
Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact.
Source Agencies:
LBB Staff: UP, ESi, GG, JPo, KKR
UP, ESi, GG, JPo, KKR