LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
March 23, 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.), As Introduced
**************************************************************************
* Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for *
* HB3210, As Introduced: negative impact of $(2,580,301) 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 $(888,760) *
* 2003 (1,691,541) *
* 2004 (1,741,436) *
* 2005 (1,791,448) *
* 2006 (1,841,578) *
****************************************************
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
*****************************************************
* Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from *
* General Revenue Fund *
* 0001 *
* 2002 $(888,760) *
* 2003 (1,691,541) *
* 2004 (1,741,436) *
* 2005 (1,791,448) *
* 2006 (1,841,578) *
*****************************************************
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 36 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