According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), HB 1760 will have no significant fiscal implications for the State of Texas. The bill increases the minimum term of imprisonment for intoxication manslaughter to five years, mandates a minimum five-year imprisonment condition for community supervision in certain cases, and delays parole and mandatory supervision eligibility until five calendar years have been served without considering good conduct credits.

While the legislation could marginally increase the average length of incarceration for individuals convicted under the revised statute, the analysis assumes that the impact on the overall state correctional population and demand for correctional resources would be minimal. In other words, the number of cases affected is not expected to substantially alter prison capacity or operating costs for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

At the local government level, the fiscal note also states that any impact related to enforcement, prosecution, supervision, or confinement would not be significant. This suggests that counties and municipalities are unlikely to experience noticeable increases in court costs, jail populations, or supervision caseloads as a result of the bill’s passage.

HB1760 addresses a critical weakness in Texas criminal law by ensuring that individuals convicted of intoxication manslaughter—causing the death of another person while driving intoxicated—serve a more appropriate period of incarceration. Presently, although this crime is classified as a second-degree felony, offenders can sometimes receive minimal jail time (as little as 120 days) if granted community supervision. This has led to public dissatisfaction, especially among victims' families. HB 1760 would raise the minimum imprisonment term to five years, ensuring greater justice and accountability in cases of fatal intoxication incidents​.

Importantly, the bill preserves judicial discretion by allowing judges to reduce the mandatory term to two years in rare cases where the public interest would not be harmed, maintaining a careful balance between justice and flexibility. It also reforms parole and mandatory supervision eligibility by requiring five actual calendar years of served time before release consideration, thereby preventing early release based solely on good behavior credits.

In terms of government size and cost, the Legislative Budget Board determined that the bill would not significantly impact state correctional populations or require additional resources. Thus, HB 1760 does not meaningfully grow the size or scope of government, nor does it increase the financial burden on taxpayers. Further, because the bill strictly affects sentencing for convicted offenders and does not impose any regulatory obligations on law-abiding individuals or businesses, it does not increase the regulatory burden in Texas.

Overall, HB 1760 strongly advances the principles of individual liberty (by protecting innocent life), personal responsibility (by ensuring serious consequences for negligent actions), and limited government (by targeting criminal behavior without expanding government regulation). Given its focused scope, fiscal neutrality, and vital support for public safety, Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on HB 1760.

• Individual Liberty: The bill protects the fundamental right to life by ensuring that individuals who cause death through intoxicated driving face serious consequences. It enhances the protection of innocent citizens from reckless actions.
• Personal Responsibility: The bill enforces stronger accountability for individuals who engage in dangerous, irresponsible behavior. It reinforces that individuals must be held responsible for actions resulting in the loss of life.
• Free Enterprise: The bill does not impose any requirements, restrictions, or obligations on businesses or the functioning of the free market. It exclusively affects criminal sentencing.
• Private Property Rights: There is no effect on property ownership or property rights under this bill.
• Limited Government: Although the bill slightly increases the time individuals may be incarcerated, it does so narrowly and with judicial discretion. The bill does not grow the regulatory state, create new bureaucracies, or impose financial burdens on taxpayers, keeping the government’s growth very limited and justified by the compelling state interest in protecting life.

• HB 764 (Same As)