Honorable Abel Herrero, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB692 by Longoria (Relating to compensation under the Crime Victims' Compensation Act for damages to real property suffered as a result of a person evading arrest or detention.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB692, As Introduced: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.
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
2016
$0
2017
$0
2018
$0
2019
$0
2020
$0
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Probable Savings/(Cost) from Crime Victims Comp Acct 469
2016
$0
($2,800,000)
2017
$0
($2,800,000)
2018
$0
($2,800,000)
2019
$0
($2,800,000)
2020
$0
($2,800,000)
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure related to the Crime Victims' Compensation Program administered by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to provide compensation for real property damages caused by evading arrest in a vehicle. The bill would take effect September 1, 2015.
Under the bill provisions, the OAG indicates the fiscal impact to the Crime Victims' Compensation Account No. 469 would be $2,800,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $2,800,000 in each fiscal year from 2017-2020.
Methodology
Currently, the Crime Victims' Compensation Program does not provide compensation for real property damages caused by evading arrest in a vehicle. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains records related to evading arrest and the average number of individuals arrested for evading arrest by vehicle from 2010-2014 is 5,600.
The OAG assumes the following related to the bill provisions:
1) The average number of individuals arrested for evading arrest by vehicle would remain constant at 5,600 each year;
2) 20 percent of the individuals arrested for evading arrest (1,120) would cause real property damage;
3) 50 percent of victims (560) would receive compensation; and
4) The compensation payment per claim would average $5,000.
Based on the above assumptions, the OAG estimates 560 compensation payments of $5,000 for a total of $2,800,000 each fiscal year from the Crime Victims' Compensation Account No. 469. Additionally, reimbursements made under the bill provisions would not be eligible for matching Federal Funds from the Department of Justice, Victim Compensation Grant Program.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.