Revision: Jan. 7, 2019, 3:36 p.m.
HB 394-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2019 SESSION
19-0393
08/04
HOUSE BILL 394-FN
AN ACT relative to crop theft.
SPONSORS: Rep. O'Connor, Rock. 6; Rep. Comtois, Belk. 7; Rep. Turcotte, Merr. 22; Rep. Aron, Sull. 7
COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture
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ANALYSIS
This bill expands the definition of crop theft and raises the amount that must be paid to the victim.
This bill is a request of the committee to study crop theft established in 2018, HB 1320.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
19-0393
08/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nineteen
AN ACT relative to crop theft.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Crop Theft; Agricultural Vandalism. Amend RSA 539:9, I to read as follows:
I. Whoever shall knowingly cut, fell, destroy, injure, damage, cause to be damaged, carry away, consume, tamper with, worry, or vandalize any legal crop or legal crop bearing tree or plant, Christmas tree, cropland, pasture or pasture land, livestock or other farm raised animals, as defined in RSA 21:34-a, and all farm buildings, enclosures, structures, or equipment used in the care and production of crops, livestock or other farm raised animals, or aid in such action without permission of the owner, shall forfeit to the person injured a minimum of $1,000 and up to 10 times the market value or repair cost.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2020.
19-0393
12/28/18
HB 394-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to crop theft.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ X ] County [ ] Local [ ] None
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| Estimated Increase / (Decrease) | |||
STATE: | FY 2020 | FY 2021 | FY 2022 | FY 2023 |
Appropriation | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable |
Funding Source: | [ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ ] Other | |||
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COUNTY: |
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Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable |
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METHODOLOGY:
This bill would amend RSA 539:9,I, concerning agricultural vandalism by adding "consuming the crop" to the potential actions that result in liability, adds Christmas trees to the list of crops specified, and requires the person convicted of the offense to pay a minimum of $1,000 in addition to the existing 10 times market value or repair cost.
This bill contains penalties that may have an impact on the New Hampshire judicial and correctional systems. There is no method to determine how many charges would be brought as a result of the changes contained in this bill to determine the fiscal impact on expenditures. However, the entities impacted have provided the potential costs associated with these penalties below.
Judicial Branch | FY 2020 | FY 2021 |
Class B Misdemeanor | $53 | $54 |
Class A Misdemeanor | $76 | $77 |
Routine Criminal Felony Case | $481 | $486 |
Appeals | Varies | Varies |
It should be noted that average case cost estimates for FY 2020 and FY 2021 are based on data that is more than ten years old and does not reflect changes to the courts over that same period of time or the impact these changes may have on processing the various case types. An unspecified misdemeanor can be either class A or class B, with the presumption being a class B misdemeanor. | ||
Department of Corrections |
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FY 2018 Average Cost of Incarcerating an Individual | $40,615 | $40,615 |
FY 2018 Annual Marginal Cost of a General Population Inmate | $4,620 | $4,620 |
FY 2018 Average Cost of Supervising an Individual on Parole/Probation | $571 | $571 |
NH Association of Counties |
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County Prosecution Costs | Indeterminable | Indeterminable |
The Judicial Branch indicates historically few cases have been prosecuted under RSA 539:9,I, but the addition of Christmas trees increases the chances of additional misdemeanor or felony cases.
The Judicial Council states, while this bill criminalizes new conduct, it is not expected to have an appreciable impact on expenditures for indigent defense.
The Department of Justice indicates the Department would not be involved in prosecutions or investigations related to this bill, any appeals would be handled within the current budget and there would be no fiscal impact on the Department.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Judicial Branch, Judicial Council, Departments of Justice and Corrections