LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE
75th Regular Session
April 13, 1997
TO: Honorable Keith Oakley, Chair IN RE: House Bill No. 2251
Committee on Public Safety By: Wise
House
Austin, Texas
FROM: John Keel, Director
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on HB2251 ( Relating
to the collection of certain samples or specimens for the DNA
database maintained by the Department of Public Safety.) this
office has detemined the following:
Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by HB2251-As Introduced
Implementing the provisions of the bill would result in a net
impact of $0 to General Revenue Related Funds through the biennium
ending August 31, 1999.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal
basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions
of the bill.
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Government Code to require all persons
charged with certain sex-related offenses and who are housed
in a facility operated by or under contract with the Texas Department
of Criminal Justice or any other penal institution, including
county and municipal jails, to provide blood and saliva samples
and other specimens for the purpose of creating deoxyribonucleic
acid (DNA) records. The bill would also require juveniles alleged
to have engaged in certain sex-related offenses and who are
committed to a facility operated by or under contract with the
Texas Youth Commission to also provide blood and saliva samples
and other specimens for the purpose of creating DNA records.
The
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) currently performs DNA
analysis on blood samples and other specimens from adult and
juvenile offenders who are serving sentences for certain sex-related
offenses.
The bill would take effect on September 1, 1997,
and would apply to any person held in confinement on or after
the effective date regardless of the date on which the person
is initially placed in confinement.
Methodolgy
The DPS crime laboratory currently performs analysis on approximately
1,000 DNA cases per month. It is estimated the bill would increase
the laboratory's workload by an additional 13,400 cases the
first year and approximately 4,000 each year thereafter.
To
perform analysis on 13,400 additional samples the first year
and 4,000 per year thereafter, DPS estimates it would require
additional laboratory personnel consisting of one computer specialist,
four analysts, and one technician. Costs for appropriate training,
equipment, office space, supplies, chemicals, and testing kits
are also estimated.
The probable fiscal implications of implementing the provisions
of the bill during each of the first five years following passage
is estimated as follows:
Five Year Impact:
Fiscal Year Probable Change in Number
Savings/(Cost) of State
from State Employees from
Highway Fund FY 1997
0006
1998 ($1,847,119) 6.0
1998 (441,970) 6.0
2000 (441,970) 6.0
2001 (441,970) 6.0
2002 (441,970) 6.0
Net Impact on General Revenue Related Funds:
The probable fiscal implication to General Revenue related funds
during each of the first five years is estimated as follows:
Fiscal Year Probable Net Postive/(Negative)
General Revenue Related Funds
Funds
1998 $0
1999 0
2000 0
2001 0
2002 0
Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as
the provisions of the bill are in effect.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government
is anticipated.
Source: Agencies: 696 Department of Criminal Justice
694 Youth Commission
405 Department of Public Safety
LBB Staff: JK ,CB ,JN