SRC-HRD S.B. 987 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 987
By: Moncrief
Finance
3-19-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law provides that proceeds from the Compensation to
Victims of Crime Fund be used to assist victims with various expenses that
may result from a crime, such as medical, counseling, and funeral
expenses.  The 73rd Legislature enacted law which greatly increased fund
revenues.  However, at the same time program awards have been relatively
stable,  and as a result, the fund has accumulated a cash balance of
approximately $93.5 million.   

S.B. 987 would require the comptroller of public accounts, with the
assistance of the attorney general, to certify each year how much money
will be necessary to make awards under the current Crime Victims'
Compensation Act.  This certification will include a 15 percent "cushion"
for unexpected increases in demands for assistance under the Act.  In
addition, the legislature would be given authority to appropriate amounts
in the fund over that which is certified for the current awards program if
the receiving program or purpose "provides substantial and direct
benefits, services, or assistance to crime victims or other person
affected by criminal conduct." 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 987 sets forth requirements for the comptroller in
regard to the amount of money that will be required to make payments of
awards under the Compensation to Victims Crime Fund. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Articles 56.54(b) and (c), Code of Criminal Procedure,
to authorize the compensation to victims of crime fund to be used, except
as provided by Article 56.541, only by the attorney general for the
payment of compensation to claimants or victims under this subchapter and
other expenses in administering this subchapter.  Makes nonsubstantive and
conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 56B, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding
Article 56.541, as follows: 

Art. 56.541.  APPROPRIATION OF EXCESS MONEY FOR OTHER CRIME VICTIM
ASSISTANCE.  Requires the comptroller, not later than September 1 of each
year, after consulting with the attorney general, to certify an estimate
of certain amounts of money. Authorizes the legislature to appropriate
from the compensation to victims of crime fund or the auxiliary
compensation to victims of crime fund the amount in that fund certified by
the comptroller under Subsection (a)(2) for a program or purpose that
provides substantial and direct benefits, services, or assistance to crime
victims or other persons affected by criminal conduct.   

SECTION 3. (a) Effective date: September 1, 1997.  

(b) Requires the attorney general, notwithstanding the September 1
deadline provided by Article 56.541, Code of Criminal Procedure, as added
by this Act, to make and certify certain estimated amounts within a
certain deadline. 
 
SECTION 4. Emergency clause.