LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 10, 2003

TO:
Honorable Terry Keel, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
 
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB478 by Farrar (Relating to including certain victims of arson as victims who are eligible to receive crime victims' compensation.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB478, As Introduced: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2005.



Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2004 $0
2005 $0
2006 $0
2007 $0
2008 $0




Fiscal Year Probable (Cost) from
CRIME VICTIMS COMP ACCT
469
2004 ($962,766)
2005 ($956,350)
2006 ($956,350)
2007 ($956,350)
2008 ($956,350)

Fiscal Analysis

The bill expands the definition of a victim, who suffers loss of the individual's place of residence as a result of the commission of the offense of arson by another person, who would be eligible for monetary compensation from the Compensation to Victims of Crime Fund.

Methodology

Data from the 2001 Uniform Crime Report published by the Department of Public Safety, identified approximately 3,000 residences that were affected by arson in FY 2001.  Approximately 20% of these arsons would result in applications for compensation or approximately 600 new applications per year.  An average of $1,500 per application (such as mental counseling and lost wages, but excluding property damages which are not currently eligible) was used resulting in $900,000 per year in payments.  One additional full-time-equivalent position (Reimbursement Officer, A17) would be required to maintain current production rates for a FY 2004 fiscal impact of $62,766 and $56,350 per year for FY 2005-08. 

Technology

The bill would result in a one-time technology cost of $1,075.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated since direct payments to victims of crime are only processed through the Office of the Attorney General's Compensation to Victims of Crime Division.


Source Agencies:
302 Office Of The Attorney General, 454 Department Of Insurance, 696 Department Of Criminal Justice
LBB Staff:
JK, WK, MS, BL, RB