LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION March 10, 2015 TO: Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB172 by Huffman (Relating to the addition of certain substances to Penalty Groups 1-A and 2 of the Texas Controlled Substances Act for criminal prosecution and other purposes.), As Introduced Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB172, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($2,379,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
March 10, 2015
TO: Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB172 by Huffman (Relating to the addition of certain substances to Penalty Groups 1-A and 2 of the Texas Controlled Substances Act for criminal prosecution and other purposes.), As Introduced
TO: Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: SB172 by Huffman (Relating to the addition of certain substances to Penalty Groups 1-A and 2 of the Texas Controlled Substances Act for criminal prosecution and other purposes.), As Introduced
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
SB172 by Huffman (Relating to the addition of certain substances to Penalty Groups 1-A and 2 of the Texas Controlled Substances Act for criminal prosecution and other purposes.), As Introduced
SB172 by Huffman (Relating to the addition of certain substances to Penalty Groups 1-A and 2 of the Texas Controlled Substances Act for criminal prosecution and other purposes.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB172, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($2,379,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB172, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($2,379,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact: Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds 2016 ($2,379,000) 2017 $0 2018 $0 2019 $0 2020 $0
2016 ($2,379,000)
2017 $0
2018 $0
2019 $0
2020 $0
All Funds, Five-Year Impact: Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) fromGeneral Revenue Fund1 2016 ($2,379,000) 2017 $0 2018 $0 2019 $0 2020 $0
Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) fromGeneral Revenue Fund1 2016 ($2,379,000) 2017 $0 2018 $0 2019 $0 2020 $0
2016 ($2,379,000)
2017 $0
2018 $0
2019 $0
2020 $0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code as it relates to the addition of certain substances to the list of Penalty Group 1-A and 2 substances in the Texas Controlled Substances Act. Under current law, possession of a Penalty Group 1-A and 2 substances are punishable at various felony levels and punishment is based on the amount of substance possessed.The Department of Public Safety (DPS) has indicated the bill would require the agency to purchase new Gas Chromatography Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometers (GS FTIR) necessary for compound identification for each of the thirteen crime laboratories operated by the agency.
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code as it relates to the addition of certain substances to the list of Penalty Group 1-A and 2 substances in the Texas Controlled Substances Act. Under current law, possession of a Penalty Group 1-A and 2 substances are punishable at various felony levels and punishment is based on the amount of substance possessed.The Department of Public Safety (DPS) has indicated the bill would require the agency to purchase new Gas Chromatography Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometers (GS FTIR) necessary for compound identification for each of the thirteen crime laboratories operated by the agency.
Methodology
This analysis assumes the agency would need to acquire new GS FTIR spectrometers for each of the agency's thirteen drug testing laboratories at a cost of $183,000 per unit. Assuming the agency purchases all thirteen of these spectrometers in fiscal year 2016, the one-time cost in fiscal year 2016 is $2,379,000. It is assumed any ongoing costs associated with operating and maintaining this new equipment can be absorbed within the agency's resources.This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill related to criminal penalties would not result in a significant impact on state correctional agencies.
This analysis assumes the agency would need to acquire new GS FTIR spectrometers for each of the agency's thirteen drug testing laboratories at a cost of $183,000 per unit. Assuming the agency purchases all thirteen of these spectrometers in fiscal year 2016, the one-time cost in fiscal year 2016 is $2,379,000. It is assumed any ongoing costs associated with operating and maintaining this new equipment can be absorbed within the agency's resources.This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill related to criminal penalties would not result in a significant impact on state correctional agencies.
Technology
The agency has indicated that implementation of this bill will not have a technological impact.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies: 405 Department of Public Safety
405 Department of Public Safety
LBB Staff: UP, KJo, AI, ESi, LM, JAW
UP, KJo, AI, ESi, LM, JAW