TO:	Honorable Nicole Collier, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB708 by Shaheen (Relating to creating the criminal offense of possession of an animal by a person who has been previously convicted of an offense involving animal cruelty.), As Introduced

The bill would amend the Penal Code to create the criminal offense of possession of an animal by a person who has been previously convicted of an offense involving animal cruelty. The offense would be a Class C misdemeanor for a first-time offender and a Class B misdemeanor for a repeat offender.

Local Government Impact

According to the Office Court Administration, no significant fiscal impact to local courts is anticipated.

A Class C misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $500. In addition to the fine, punishment can include up to 180 days of deferred disposition. A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days, or both. Costs associated with enforcement and prosecution could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact.