SRC-HRD C.S.S.J.R. 33 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.J.R. 33
By: Moncrief
Finance
4-8-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

In 1979, the legislature passed the Texas Crime Victims' Compensation Act.
This Act created the Compensation to Victims of Crime Fund and established
statutory eligibility guidelines for the provision of certain benefits for
crime victims.  Money for the fund is generated through criminal court
costs.   

Currently, proceeds from the fund are used to assist victims with various
expenses that may result from a crime including medical, counseling, and
funeral expenses.  C.S.S.J.R. 33 provides for a constitutional dedication
of the fund and the Compensation of Victims of Crime Auxiliary Fund.
Furthermore, this resolution provides that proceeds from those funds may
be expended for the purposes of compensating victims of crime or of
adjudicated juvenile misconduct and for providing services to those
victims, as provided by law.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.J.R. 33 establishes a constitutional dedication of the
Compensation to Victims of Crime Fund and the Compensation to Victims of
Crime Auxiliary Fund and provides that proceeds from those funds may only
be expended for certain purposes. 

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 Article I of the Texas Constitution by adding Section
31, as follows: 

Sec. 31. (a) Provides that the compensation to victims of crime fund and
the compensation to victims of crime auxiliary fund created by Chapter 56,
Code of Criminal Procedure, are each a separate dedicated account in the
general revenue fund.  

(b) Authorizes money deposited to the credit of the compensation to
victims of crime fund or the compensation to victims of crime auxiliary
fund, from any source, subject to legislative appropriation, to be
expended only for the purposes of compensating victims of crime or of
adjudicated juvenile misconduct and for providing services those victims,
as provided by law.  

SECTION 2. Adds the following temporary provision to the Texas
Constitution: 

TEMPORARY PROVISION.  (a) Provides that this temporary provision applies
to the constitutional amendment proposed by S.J.R. 33, 75th Legislature,
Regular Session, 1997, and expires January 1, 1998. 

(b) Effective date:  January 1, 1998.

SECTION 3. Requires the proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted
to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 1997.  Sets forth
guidelines and required language for the ballot.  

 SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1. 

Amends Article I, Texas Constitution, by amending proposed Section 31, to
provide that the funds are each a separate dedicated account in the
general revenue fund.  Authorizes money deposited to the credit of the
funds to be expended for the purpose of compensating victims of
adjudicated juvenile misconduct.  Makes nonsubstantive changes. 

SECTION 2. 

Amends proposed SECTION 2 to provide that this temporary provision applies
to the constitutional amendment proposed by S.J.R. 33, 75th Legislature,
Regular Session, 1997, and expires January 1, 1998.  Provides that the
amendment to Article I of this constitution takes effect January 1, 1998,
rather than this amendment takes effect on January 1, 1998. Makes
conforming changes.