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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Garcia, M.H.
DATE TYPED 01/25/05 HB 161
SHORT TITLE Distances for Negligent Firearm Use
SB
ANALYST Ford
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY05
FY06
FY05
FY06
Minimal
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
Administrative Office of the District Attorneys (AODA)
Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)
Public Defender Department (PD)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
House Bill 161 changes the definition of negligent use of a deadly weapon. It provides that a
firearm may not be discharged within 450 yards of a dwelling or building without the owner’s
permission. The current law sets the distance at 150 yards. Violation of negligent use of a
deadly weapon is a petty misdemeanor.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
New laws and amendments to existing laws have the potential to increase caseloads in the courts,
thus requiring additional resources to handle the increase. The exact caseload increase is inde-
terminable at this time.