LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
April 3, 2001
TO: Honorable Kenneth Armbrister, Chair, Senate Committee on
Criminal Justice
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 Introduced
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* Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for *
* SB1202, As Introduced: 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 $(1,225,000) *
* 2003 (1,275,000) *
* 2004 (1,350,000) *
* 2005 (1,425,000) *
* 2006 (1,500,000) *
*****************************************************
Fiscal Analysis
The bill amends the provisions in the Code of Criminal Procedure relating
to the Crime Victims Compensation program. Currently, catastrophic
claims are allowed benefits of up to $50,000 in addition to the $50,000
limit for non-catastrophic claims for a maximum award of $100,000. SB
1202 would allow the Attorney General to award $75,000, rather than
$50,000, to a victim of crime if the personal injury is catastrophic and
results in a total and permanent disability to the victim. This brings
the maximum award for catastrophic claims to $125,000.
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
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: 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 302 Office of
the Attorney General
LBB Staff: JK, JC, SC