Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB4102 by Neave (Relating to establishing and funding a grant program for testing evidence collected in relation to sexual assaults or other sex offenses; authorizing voluntary contributions.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend multiple codes relating to establishing and funding a grant program for testing evidence collected in relation to sexual assaults or other sex offenses; authorizing voluntary contributions.
The bill would require the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to provide the opportunity to contribute to the evidence testing grant program when a person registers or renews the registration of a motor vehicle. The bill would require county tax assessor-collectors to send deposits of any contributions collected to the new General Revenue-Dedicated Evidence Testing Account at least once every three months. The bill allows the DMV to deduct reasonable administrative expenses prior to transferring the contributions.
The bill would require the Criminal Justice Division (CJD) in the Trusteed Programs Within the Office of the Governor to establish and administer a grant program using the contributions collected during the vehicle registration process to assist certain law enforcement agencies with testing evidence collected for sexual assault or other sex offenses. The bill would restrict the use of grant funds to testing at certain labs for evidence related to certain crimes. The bill would require the CJD to establish criteria related to grant applications and awards, and would require certain reporting in the CJD's biennial report. The bill would allow the CJD to us any available revenue to fund the program.
Based on LBB's analysis of information provided by TxDMV, it is assumed costs and duties associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within the agency's existing resources. The Office of the Governor indicates it could absorb the costs of administering the grant program within the agency's existing resources.
The bill would do one or more of the following: create or recreate a dedicated account in the General Revenue Fund, create or recreate a special or trust fund either with or outside of the Treasury, or create a dedicated revenue source. The fund, account, or revenue dedication included in the bill would be subject to funds consolidation review by the current Legislature.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
Local Government Impact
According to the Office of the Governor, the bill would result in $100,000 potential cost savings to local governments operating a law enforcement agency that are seeking to have DNA tested.
Source Agencies:
300 Trusteed Programs Within the Office of the Governor, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 405 Department of Public Safety, 608 Department of Motor Vehicles