NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used for other purposes.

 

The most recent FIR version (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative Website.  The Adobe PDF version includes all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not.  Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

 

 

F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Campos

 

DATE TYPED:

01/30/03

 

HB

161

 

SHORT TITLE:

Amber Alert Law

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

Fox-Young

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

 

 

$0.1 Minimal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases

 

Relates to HB 16, Duplicates SB 110

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From:

State Highway and Transportation Department (SHTD)

Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)

Attorney General (AG)

LFC Files

 

No Response

Department of Public Safety (DPS)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

House Bill 161 enacts the amber alert law, mandating the Department of Public Safety (DPS) develop and implement an amber alert notification plan.  This plan would effectuate rapid dissemination of information about child abductions to local law enforcement agencies and citizens around the state. 

 

    Significant Issues

 

The bill gives DPS the authority to establish criteria for what constitutes child abduction for purposes of the amber alert system as well as protocol for implementation of the system.  The bill makes participation of private media outlets voluntary, and it mandates that DPS work with law enforcement agencies in bordering states to develop a regional amber alert system.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The responsibility to disseminate emergency information falls on the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and General Services Department (GSD).  These agencies would have to draw on existing resources to develop and maintain the amber alert system.

 

State Highway and Transportation Department (SHTD) notes the department may be required to operate and transport message boards and otherwise assist in the communication effort.  SHTD’s degree of involvement will depend on the details of protocol from DPS.

 

DUPLICATES, RELATES

 

The bill duplicates SB 110.

 

The bill relates to and partially duplicates HB 16.  Major differences are:

 

·        HB 16 mandates that the amber alert system rely on state and AM radio transmission to disseminate information, and it details the procedures by which these media shall issue amber alerts.  HB 161 gives DPS the authority to set the protocol by which state and private media shall issue amber alerts.

 

·        HB 16 defines child abduction for purposes of the amber alert system.  HB 161 gives DPS the authority to set the criteria for what constitutes child abduction.

 

·        HB 16 provides a criminal penalty for knowing submission of false information resulting in the declaration of an amber alert, making it a petty misdemeanor.  HB 161 does not enact a criminal penalty.

 

·        HB 16 contains an emergency clause.  HB 161 does not.

 

·        HB 161 mandates DPS work with law enforcement agencies in neighboring states to develop a regional amber alert system.  HB 16 does not.

 

JCF/njw