Honorable Ken King, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB2601 by Blanco (relating to a border crime property damage compensation program.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would rename the Landowners Compensation Program to the Border Crime Property Damage Compensation Program and modify eligibility requirements for the program. The bill would require the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to establish a standardized form and reporting template for law enforcement agencies to document damage caused by trespassers as a result of a border crime. The bill would cap the maximum award amount per incident at $75,000 in total, and $10,000 for damages attributable to livestock, timber, or crops. Law enforcement agencies, on request by the OAG, would be required to provide reports to allow the OAG to determine whether a person qualifies for compensation under the program.
The bill would prohibit insurance companies from considering whether a compensation claim has been made as a factor in setting rates.
This analysis assumes any additional costs as a result of the bill would have no significant fiscal impact to the state.
Local Government Impact
Local law enforcement entities may be required to provide information to the OAG to assist with determining eligibility. No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
302 Office of the Attorney General, 405 Department of Public Safety, 454 Department of Insurance