CRIME VICTIM SERVICES FEES H.B. 5666 (S-2):
FLOOR SUMMARY
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House Bill 5666 (Substitute S-2 as reported)
Sponsor: Representative Joan Bauer
House Committee: Judiciary
Senate Committee: Appropriations
CONTENT
House Bill 5666 (S-2) would delay the sunset on the use of excess revenue in the Crime Victims' Rights Fund from October 1, 2009, to October 1, 2010. The Crime Victims' Rights Fund was created by Public Act 196 of 1989. Revenue for the Fund comes from assessments, treated as fee revenue, imposed on individuals convicted of felonies or certain misdemeanors. Assessments also are imposed on individuals with deferred sentences and those assigned to youthful trainee status. Presently, the fees are $60 for a felony offense, $50 for a serious or specified misdemeanor, and $20 for a juvenile offense.
The revenue is used, pursuant to Pubic Act 223 of 1976, for a variety of crime victim services. These include awards to victims (maximum of $15,000), awards to cover funeral expenses and grief counseling (maximum of $2,000), awards to cover lost wages (maximum of $200 per week), and psychological counseling (maximum of 26 hourly sessions, maximum reimbursement of $95 per hour).
Priority for funding is set in MCL 780.904 (the section the bill would amend). Any excess revenue, after the awards described in Public Act 223 of 1976, is used to support the sex offender registry, the Amber alert program, treatment services for victims of sexual assault, polygraph examinations, and expert witness testimony from forensic scientists. This provision expired on October 1, 2009.
Ongoing annual revenue from the assessments has been in the range of $9.0 million to $10.0 million over the past few years. Due to the carry-forward of past surpluses, total funds (including ongoing revenue and the surplus) available exceed $16.0 million in the current fiscal year.
MCL 780.904
FISCAL IMPACT
Delay of the sunset would maintain current policy. Roughly $2.2 million per year is spent on the services identified in the provision subject to the sunset. Due to the available surplus, enactment of the bill would have no short-term fiscal impact on the State.
Date Completed: 9-16-10 Fiscal Analyst: Steve AngelottiAnalysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. 5666/0910