LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session April 26, 2001 TO: Honorable Bob Turner, Chair, House Committee on Public Safety FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: SB1648 by Bernsen (Relating to the application of the sex offender registration program to certain persons who violate the laws of another state or violate federal law, including military law.), As Engrossed ************************************************************************** * No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** The bill would require that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), for the purposes of the sex offender registration program, determine whether an offense under the laws of another state, federal law, or the Uniform Code of Military Justice contains elements that are substantially similar to the elements of an offense under Texas laws. Provisions of the bill would require that an appeal of the determination made by the DPS would be brought in a district court in Travis County. Local Government Impact The Travis County district clerk's office estimates that a minimum cost per case without appeal would be approximately $750 each; minimum cost per case with appeal is estimated to be close to $970 each. Travis County indicated that these costs are based only on staff and overhead involved for the simplest of cases. The costs would increase for complex cases, particularly if there would be a change in counsel, intervention of a third party, or pro se representation. Source Agencies: LBB Staff: JK, JC, JB, DB