AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SENTENCING COMMISSION REGARDING THE CLASSIFICATION OF UNCLASSIFIED MISDEMEANORS.

OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS

Legislative Office Building, Room 5200

Hartford, CT 06106 ↓ (860) 240-0200

http: //www. cga. ct. gov/ofa

sHB-5145

AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SENTENCING COMMISSION REGARDING THE CLASSIFICATION OF UNCLASSIFIED MISDEMEANORS.

Agency Affected	Fund-Effect	FY 13 $	FY 14 $
Judicial Dept.	GF - Revenue Gain	Less than $25,000	Less than $25,000
Correction, Dept.	GF - Potential Savings	Less than $50,000	Less than $50,000

Note: GF=General Fund

Municipal Impact: None

Explanation

The bill is anticipated to increase revenue related to misdemeanor offenses by less than $25,000 annually. Among other changes, the bill classifies currently unclassified misdemeanors into Class D misdemeanors, which carry a maximum fine of $250. The revenue gain will be realized by the difference between the current maximum fine and the new maximum fine. There are few violations and fines related to violations of the statutes referenced in the bill.

The bill also reduces the maximum prison sentence for 67 misdemeanors. The bill has the potential to generate savings to the extent that fewer and shorter prison sentences result from the changes to statutes contained in the bill. There are few violations and fines related to violations of the statutes referenced in the bill. The cumulative effect of the changes is anticipated to be less than $50,000 in annual savings.

The Out Years

The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to the number of these misdemeanor offenses that occur.