COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
OVERSIGHT DIVISION
FISCAL NOTE
L.R. No.: 0864-01
Bill No.: SB 255
Subject: Crimes and Punishment; Law Enforcement Officers and Agencies
Type: Original
Date: January 29, 2001
FISCAL SUMMARY
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2002 | FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
| None | |||
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All State Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2002 | FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
| None | |||
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All Federal Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2002 | FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
| Local Government | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.
This fiscal note contains 3 pages.
ASSUMPTION
Officials from the Office of the State Courts Administrator (CTS) state the proposed legislation would expand the definition of the crime of harassment to include "by computer electronic mail". CTS anticipates some increase in the number of cases filed, however, would not expect a significant impact on the workload of the judiciary.
Officials from the Office of the State Public Defender assumes that existing staff could provide representation for those 10-15 cases arising where indigent persons were charged with the new crimes of sending unsolicited e-mails after a request to stop. However, passage of more than one similar bill would require the State Public Defender System to request increased appropriations to cover cumulative cost of representing the indigent accused in the additional cases.
Officials from the Department of Public Safety - Director's Office and the Office of Prosecution Services assume this proposal would not fiscally impact their agencies.
In response to similar legislation from a previous session, officials from the Department of Corrections and the Office of the Attorney General each assumed the proposed legislation would have no fiscal impact on their respective agencies.
| FISCAL IMPACT - State Government | FY 2002
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government | FY 2002
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 |
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.
DESCRIPTION
This proposal adds computer electronic mail messages as a method by which a person may commit the crime of harassment.
This proposal also prohibits the use of electronic mail to send obscene or indecent commercial messages.
This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Office of Prosecution Services
Office of the State Courts Administrator
Office of the State Public Defender
Department of Corrections
Office of the Attorney General
Department of Public Safety
Jeanne Jarrett, CPA
Director
January 29, 2001