TO:	Honorable Paul Bettencourt, Chair, Senate Committee on Local Government
FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB72 by Reynolds (Relating to the power of certain counties to enact certain park use rules; changing a criminal penalty.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted

Among other provisions, the bill would remove the Class C misdemeanor offense for violating a rule set by a county commissioners court concerning the use of any park administered by the park board and would instead make a person who violated such a rule liable to the county for a civil penalty of not more than $100 per violation.   

Local Government Impact

According to the Texas Association of Counties, no significant fiscal impact to counties 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. Lost revenue from reduced fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact.