Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1221 by Metcalf (Relating to authorizing the comptroller to release a reported owner's unclaimed property to the owner's crime victim in certain circumstances and payment by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice of certain amounts owed by an inmate.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would require the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to file a claim for unclaimed property on behalf of a victim of a criminal offense if the reported owner of the unclaimed property was finally convicted. The bill would authorize the Comptroller's office to release a reported owners unclaimed property to the owner's crime victim.
The bill would require a county to accept a restitution payment received from TDCJ and forward the payment to the crime victim or other person eligible for restitution, including the Compensation to Victims of Crime Account. The county would return to TDCJ any excess above the amount owed to the victim.
Based on the analysis of the Comptroller, the bill could result in an increase in approved unclaimed property claims as well as an increase in deposits to the Compensation to Victims of Crime Account 469; however, the amount of the increases is indeterminate. It is assumed that any costs associated with the bill's provisions could be absorbed using existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 696 Department of Criminal Justice