The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined due the lack of data about the number of justices of the peace, medical examiners, or death investigators whose survivors might be eligible for financial assistance under the provisions of the bill.
The bill would amend the Government Code to add a justice of the peace or medical examiner required to conduct inquests under Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure, or a death investigator or employee who assists the justice of the peace or medical examiner who die in the line of duty to the list of individuals whose survivors are eligible for benefits under Chapter 615 of the Government Code.
The lump sum amount provided to eligible survivors for a death occurring in fiscal year 2025 is $611,135, appropriated out of General Revenue funds. The lump sum amount is adjusted each year by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPIU).
The cost of these provisions of the bill cannot be determined due to the lack of data about the number of individuals whose survivors might be affected by these provisions.
The bill would also add a representative for coroners to the First Responder Advisory Council; it is assumed the cost would be absorbed within existing resources.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.