LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session March 28, 2001 TO: Honorable Kenneth Armbrister, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB519 by Gallego (Relating to the compensation to victims of family violence or sexual assault for relocation and housing rental expenses.), As Engrossed ************************************************************************** * Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for * * HB519, As Engrossed: positive impact of $0 through the biennium * * ending August 31, 2003. * * * * The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal * * basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of * * the bill. * ************************************************************************** General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact: **************************************************** * Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) * * Impact to General Revenue Related * * Funds * * 2002 $0 * * 2003 0 * * 2004 0 * * 2005 0 * * 2006 0 * **************************************************** All Funds, Five-Year Impact: ***************************************************** * Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from * * Compensation to Victims of Crime * * Account/ GR-Dedicated * * 0469 * * 2002 $(347,344) * * 2003 (404,809) * * 2004 (404,809) * * 2005 (404,809) * * 2006 (404,809) * ***************************************************** Fiscal Analysis The legislation amends the statutes governing the crime victims compensation program to make victims of sexual assault who are assaulted in their own homes eligible for reimbursement for relocation and housing rental expenses. Victims eligible under these provisions may receive a one-time assistance payment of no more than $2,000 for relocation expenses and $1,800 for housing rental expenses. Under current statutory provisions, only victims of domestic violence, which may include sexual assault, are eligible for such benefits. This legislation is effective September 1, 2001 and applies only to a victim of a criminal offense that occurs on after the effective date. Methodology The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) projects that the number of claims filed by victims of sexual assault and on behalf of victims of child sexual assault will be 5,436 in fiscal year 2002, and increase to 6,345 the next year as awareness of the compensation program increases. The OAG did not have information on how many of these assaults occured in the home of the victim. The OAG estimated that 5% of the claimants would decide to relocate and request reimbursement, resulting in 272 additional claims in fiscal year 2002 and 317 additional claims in fiscal year 2003 and afterwards. The estimate of 5% is based on several factors: that many sexual assaults occur outside of the home and would not be covered by this legislation, and that relocation is more difficult for victims who own their homes rather than rent. In fiscal year 2000, the OAG paid an average of $1,277 per claim on domestic violence relocation claims. Using that per claim average, an additional $347,344 would be paid out in fiscal year 2002, increasing to $404,809 in subsequent years. Local Government Impact No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 302 Office of the Attorney General LBB Staff: JK, JC, SC