LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session Revision 1 April 4, 2001 TO: Honorable Elliott Naishtat, Chair, House Committee on Human Services FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB3210 by Naishtat (Relating to the creation of a state self-sufficiency program for certain immigrants who are victims of battery or extreme cruelty.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted ************************************************************************** * Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for * * HB3210, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: negative impact * * of $(1,291,061) 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. * ************************************************************************** Note: These numbers are reflective of updated information from the Department of Human Services. General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Net Impact: **************************************************** * Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) * * Impact to General Revenue Related * * Funds * * 2002 $(445,291) * * 2003 (845,770) * * 2004 (870,718) * * 2005 (895,724) * * 2006 (920,789) * **************************************************** All Funds, Five-Year Impact: ***************************************************** * Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from * * General Revenue Fund * * 0001 * * 2002 $(445,291) * * 2003 (845,770) * * 2004 (870,718) * * 2005 (895,724) * * 2006 (920,789) * ***************************************************** Fiscal Analysis The bill would require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to develop and implement a state funded self-sufficiency program to provide temporary cash assistance to immigrants. The temporary cash assistance may be provided only to an immigrant who is lawfully present in the U.S. who meets the following eligibility requirements: is a qualified alien as defined by federal law; is a victim, a parent of a child or a child who has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty; can demonstrate a substantial connection between the battery or extreme cruelty and the need for temporary cash assistance; can demonstrate they no longer reside in the same household with the person or family member responsible for the battery or extreme cruelty; is a member of a family that includes at least one dependent child; has a gross family income that is below 130 percent of the federal poverty level; and is not eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Food Stamps because of the immigrant provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (P.L. No. 104- 193). The bill also requires DHS make the determination of eligibility of these immigrants in a manner consistent with federal guidelines. The bill requires DHS to develop an assistance schedule based on factors that include: the immigrant's gross family income; and any TANF and/or Food Stamp benefits received by any member or the immigrant's family. Additionally, provisions of the bill specify the maximum monthly benefit amount provided to these immigrants should not exceed the total monthly TANF and Food Stamp benefits provided to any family the same size as the immigrant's family and the temporary cash assistance may not exceed a cumulative total of 12 months of benefits. Methodology The department estimated 1,247 women per year would qualify for assistance (from the Texas Council on Family Violence). DHS applied a start-up factor for FY 2002, then assumed 1,247 women per month would receive assistance. DHS assumed the number of women who leave would be replaced by women who come to shelters and from other entities that provide these services. DHS estimated the average TANF grant per person per month times the number of women times 12 months to estimate the temporary assistance. DHS also estimated the average food stamp allotment per person receiving Public Assistance food stamps per month to estimate the food assistance amount. DHS stated that since the bill would affect a very small number of immigrants who have applied for immigration status under 8 U.S.C. Section 1641 (c), DHS plans to contract the eligibility determination out to local Family Violence Centers across the State. DHS staff would need to develop policy guidelines the eligibility chart contractors would use and provide training and technical assistance to contractors and their staff. Local Government Impact No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 324 Texas Department of Human Services, 320 Texas Workforce Commission LBB Staff: JK, HD, ML