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:

Smith

 

DATE TYPED:

02/18/03

 

HB

 

 

SHORT TITLE:

Amber Alert Systems

 

SB

218

 

 

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

 

Duplicates SB 110 and Relates to HJCS/16 and 161

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From:

Department of Public Safety (DPS)

State Highway and Transportation Department (SHTD)

Attorney General (AG)

Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

Senate Bill 218 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 will have to draw on existing resources to develop and maintain the amber alert system.

 

RELATES

 

Duplicates SB 110.

 

The bill relates to and partially duplicates HJCS for HB 16 and HB 161.  Major differences are:

 

·        HJCS/16 and 161 defines child abduction for purposes of the amber alert system.  SB 218 gives DPS the authority to set the criteria for what constitutes child abduction.

 

·        HJCS/16 and 161 provides a criminal penalty for knowing submission of false information resulting in the declaration of an amber alert, making it a petty misdemeanor.  SB 218 does not enact a criminal penalty.

 

·        HJCS/16 and 161 contains an emergency clause.  SB 218 does not.

 

 JCF/sb