LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session
March 10, 1999
TO: Honorable Senfronia Thompson, Chair, House Committee on
Judicial Affairs
FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB938 by Thompson (Relating to the investigation and
prosecution of an offense motivated by bias or prejudice
and to other remedies for and protections against
certain hateful acts.), As Introduced
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* No significant fiscal implication to the State. *
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Existing resources would be sufficient to cover estimated needs.
However, funding this program would require the re-prioritization of
grants to local governments.
Annual grant awards combined with the administrative costs are estimated
to be $7.5 million per year, and may exceed the funding available in the
Criminal Justice Planning Account, Fund No. 421, the General Revenue-
Dedicated account earmarked for Criminal Justice Division grants. An
additional position is needed in the Governor's Criminal Justice
Division to oversee and monitor the estimated 73 additional grant awards
anticipated under the provisions of this bill. Assuming that the amount
of each grant will not exceed $50,000, annual grant costs would equal
$3.7 million.
Technology Impact
Purchase of personal computer and related software for new employee that
would be needed to implement the provisions of this bill.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is
anticipated.
The bill would provide eligible counties with grants to assist in
prosecuting capital murder cases or "hate" crimes. If funded out of the
Criminal Justice Planning Account, the costs associated with
implementing this bill would require the reallocation of Criminal
Justice Planning Account funds from grants to local criminal justice
programs to the new grant program.
Source Agencies:
LBB Staff: JK, PE, PH, ZS