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.

 

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

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Martinez

 

DATE TYPED:

01/27/03

 

HB

 

 

SHORT TITLE:

Amber Alert Law

 

SB

110

 

 

ANALYST:

Fox-Young

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

 

 

.1 Minimal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases

 

Relates to HB 16

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From:

LFC Files

 

No Response

Department of Public Safety (DPS)

Association of District Attorneys (AODA)

Attorney General (AG)

Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

Senate Bill 110 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 burden of disseminating 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.

 

RELATES

 

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.  SB 110 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.  SB 110 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.  SB 110 does not enact a criminal penalty.

 

·        HB 16 contains an emergency clause.  SB 110 does not.

 

·        SB 110 mandates DPS work with law enforcement agencies in neighboring states to develop a regional amber alert system.  HB 16 does not.

 

JCF/njw