LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 87TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 30, 2021

TO:
Honorable Donna Campbell, Chair, Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Border Security
 
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB623 by Blanco (Relating to the investigation and punishment of certain sexual assaults, to protective orders issued on the basis of certain sexual assaults, to crime victims' compensation, and to the establishment of a state sexual assault prevention and response program for the Texas Military Department.), As Introduced


Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB623, As Introduced : a negative impact of ($217,130) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023.

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

General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:

Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to
General Revenue Related Funds
2022($110,065)
2023($107,065)
2024($107,065)
2025($107,065)
2026($107,065)

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from
General Revenue Fund
1

Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2021
2022($110,065)1.0
2023($107,065)1.0
2024($107,065)1.0
2025($107,065)1.0
2026($107,065)1.0


Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend the Government Code to direct the Texas Military Department to establish a state sexual assault prevention and response program with a sexual assault response coordinator. The coordinator would perform certain services and duties as outlined in the bill. The Texas Rangers division of the Department of Public Safety would be required to investigate cases and allegations referred by the coordinator. The bill would also require TMD to submit an annual report on program activities related to sexual assault prevention and response. The bill would also amend the Code of Criminal Procedure as it relates to protective orders.

Methodology

According to TMD, implementing the provisions of the bill related to the sexual assault response program would require 1.0 full-time-equivalent (FTE) and associated costs. The estimated fiscal impact for fiscal year 2022 is $110,065 (including benefits and onetime costs) and $107,065 (including benefits) for fiscal year 2023 and each subsequent fiscal year. There would be costs associated with investigations referred to the Texas Rangers; however, this analysis assumes that the associated costs could be absorbed within existing resources.

TMD has assumed a salary of $74,000 per fiscal year for the FTE. Travel, supplies, and benefits would be an additional $33,065 per fiscal year. TMD estimates that onetime startup costs would be $3,000 in fiscal year 2022.


Local Government Impact

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


Source Agencies:
401 Military Department
LBB Staff:
JMc, SLE, KFB, KVEL, CMA