NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used for other purposes.

 

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F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Martinez

 

DATE TYPED:

02/17/03

 

HB

596

 

SHORT TITLE:

Equitable Sentencing Schedule

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

Gilbert

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

 

 

$0.1 See Narrative

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

Relates to SB 525

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

LFC Files

 

Responses Received From

Attorney General’s Office (AGO)

Department of Corrections (DOC)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

House Bill 596 provides a new sentencing schedule for larceny and property crimes.  Approximately twenty-eight sections in the criminal code and one section in the tax code are amended.

 

For most of these crimes, a felony conviction is currently applicable to any case involving monetary amounts in excess of $250.  This bill, however, raises the monetary amount to $1,000.

 

     Significant Issues

 

HB 596 would make the crimes listed below a petty misdemeanor where the monetary amount involved is $100 or less, a misdemeanor where the amount involved is over $100 but not more than $1,000, a fourth degree felony where the amount involved is over $1,000 but not more than $2,500, a third degree felony where the amount involved is over $2,500 but not more than $20,000, and a second degree felony where the amount involved is over $20,000.


 

Desecration of a Church

False Statement and Fraud

Fraud

Criminal Damage to Property

Cheating a Machine or a Device

Larceny

Shoplifting

Embezzlement

Other Personal Property

Receiving Stolen Property

Misappropriating Public Assistance

Fraudulent Use of Credit Cards

Unauthorized Computer Use

Computer Abuse

Exploitation

Fraudulent Telemarketing

Fraudulent Acts by Merchants or their Employees

Fraudulent Acts to Obtain or Retain Possession of Rented or Leased Vehicle

Falsely Obtaining Services or Accommodations

Failing to Disclose Facts or Change of Circumstances to Obtain Public Assistance

Unlawful Use of Food Stamp Identification Card or Medical Identification Card

Computer Access with Intent to Defraud or Embezzle

Failure to Reimburse the Department upon Receipt of third Party Payment

Unlawful Dealing in Federal Food Coupons or WIC Checks

Procuring or Attempting to Procure Telecommunications Service Without Paying

Fraudulent Refusal to Return a Leased Vehicle or other Personal Property

Writing Worthless Checks

Arson

Improper Sale, Disposal, Removal or Concealing of Encumbered Property

 

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

According to the New Mexico Corrections Department (DOC), by increasing some penalties to third or second-degree felonies, the bill could substantially increase prison populations in later years.  It would also lengthen periods of parole and possibly probation sentences.  There would be a slight positive impact for crimes that remain a misdemeanor when the dollar amount is increased from $250 to $1000.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

 

The Attorney General’s Office stated this bill might result in an increase in appellate caseload when convictions are appealed.

 

RELATIONSHIP

 

Senate Bill 525 makes revisions to the sentencing provisions relating to the crime of arson.

 

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

 

Graffiti, criminalized at Section 30-15-1.1, still remains a petty misdemeanor up to one thousand dollars, but sentencing provisions of that statute are quite detailed and specific with respect to restitution and community service.

 

RLG/nw