LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 11, 2005

TO:
Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB912 by Shapiro (Relating to the civil commitment of sexually violent predators.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB912, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($742,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2007.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.



Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2006 ($371,000)
2007 ($371,000)
2008 ($371,000)
2009 ($371,000)
2010 ($371,000)




Fiscal Year Probable (Cost) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1
2006 ($371,000)
2007 ($371,000)
2008 ($371,000)
2009 ($371,000)
2010 ($371,000)

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code to amend the definitions of "sexually motivated conduct" and "sexually violent offense". The bill would also require the Council for Sex Offender Treatment to contract for a tracking service of sexually violent offenders who have been committed under Chapter 841 of the Health and Safety Code. The bill would take effect September 1, 2005.

Methodology

The Department of State Health Services (DSHS), which administratively oversees the Council on Sex Offender Treatment, reports that the tracking and case management requirements of the bill would require six full-time contracted case managers. The case managers would be paid $30 per hour 50 hours a week, for an annual salary of $78,000. 

The bill would not result in additional satellite and equipment costs. DSHS reports that the cost of existing civil commitment case management in fiscal year 2004 was $97,000. The estimated annual cost of implementing the provisions of the bill would be $371,000 (6 contractors X $30 per hour X 50 hours per week X 52 weeks minus $97,000, the fiscal year 2004 cost of case management = $371,000). 

According to the agency, the Council would need to amend its rules to reflect the requirements of the bill. This would be accomplished using existing staff and resources. 


Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
405 Department of Public Safety, 537 Department of State Health Services, 696 Department of Criminal Justice
LBB Staff:
JOB, VDS, LW, AM, KJG