LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
May 1, 2001
TO: Honorable Juan Hinojosa, Chair, House Committee on
Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: SB1202 by Zaffirini (Relating to the limits on
compensation paid by the state to certain victims of
crime.), As Engrossed
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* Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for *
* SB1202, As Engrossed: positive impact of $0 through the biennium *
* ending August 31, 2003. *
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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:
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* Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from *
* Compensation to Victims of Crime *
* Account/ GR-Dedicated *
* 0469 *
* 2002 $(8,242,000) *
* 2003 (15,088,000) *
* 2004 (22,047,000) *
* 2005 (30,924,000) *
* 2006 (41,881,000) *
*****************************************************
Fiscal Analysis
The bill amends the provisions in the Code of Criminal Procedure relating
to the Crime Victims Compensation program. Currently, awards for
non-catastropic claims are subject to a $50,000 cap, with an additional
$50,000 benefit cap for catastrophic claims, for a maximum total award of
$100,000. SB 1202 as engrossed increases the benefit caps to $100,000
for non-catastrophic claims and $75,000 for catastropic claims. These
increases bring the maximum possible total award to $175,000.
This bill takes effect September 1, 2001 and applies only to a claim for
compensation on an offense or violation that occurs on or after the
effective date.
Methodology
The cost for the increase in the non-catastrophic claims maximum is
estimate to be $7,017,000 in fiscal year 2002, increasing to $40,381,000
by fiscal year 2006. The OAG's cost estimate is based on the increase in
claims payments experienced when the limit was previously raised by the
1997 Legislature from $25,000 to $50,000. After this limit was
increased, the total compensation paid increased by 15.52%, 14.83%, and
11.21% for fiscal years 1998, 1999, and 2000, respectively. Percent
increases resulting from raising the cap from $50,000 to $100,000 are
expected to be slightly less than those experienced with the 1997
Legislative cap increase. Therefore, 12% and 10% increases have been
applied to the total amount of payments anticipated for fiscal years 2002
and 2003. For fiscal years 2004 through 2006, an 8% increase in the
total amount of compensation paid is expected due to the increase in the
limit.
The cost for the increase in the catastrophic claims cap is projected to
be $1,225,000 in fiscal year 2002, increasing to $1,500,000 in fiscal
year 2006. Based on current program participation, the Office of the
Attorney General estimates that there will be 49 victims eligible for
the increased catastrophic benefit in fiscal year 2002 at a cost of
$1,225,000. The estimated number of eligible victims is projected to
increase to 60 cases by fiscal year 2006 as the number of participants
in the program increases.
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