SB 0602 - Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note - SB 0602 - Drug Pusher Liability Act

L.R. NO.  2147-01
BILL NO.  SB 602
SUBJECT:  "Drug Pusher Liability Act"
TYPE:     Original
DATE:     January 9, 1996



                              FISCAL SUMMARY
                    ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS


FUND AFFECTED              FY 1997               FY 1998             FY 1999
General Revenue (less than $100,000)(less than $100,000)(less than $100,000)

Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
State Funds     (less than $100,000)(less than $100,000)(less than $100,000)

                   ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS


FUND AFFECTED                FY 1997             FY 1998             FY 1999
None
Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
Federal Funds                     $0                  $0                  $0

                    ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS


FUND AFFECTED                FY 1997             FY 1998             FY 1999
Local Government                  $0                  $0                  $0


                              FISCAL ANALYSIS

ASSUMPTION

Officials of the Office of the Attorney General (AGO), Departments of Health
(DOH), and Public Safety (DPS) - Missouri State Highway Patrol (MHP) assume
that this proposal would have no fiscal impact to their agencies.

Officials of the State Courts Administrator (CTS) assume that this proposal
would create a civil cause of action for persons harmed by illegal drugs that
could be brought against participants in the illegal drug market.  "Persons"
in this proposal is broadly defined, and would include individuals,
employers, medical facilities, governmental entities, and employee assistance
programs.  COURTS officials assume that there is the potential for a workload
increase in the courts.  In FY95, there were 12,546 drug-related
convictions/guilty pleas.  COURTS staff stated that they could not estimate
how many of those cases would fit the definitions of the proposed legislation
but assumed that the number could be significant.  They also assumed that
some of the cases could be quite protracted.  COURTS officials assumed that
the costs due to this proposal would not exceed $100,000 in any one year.

FISCAL IMPACT - State Government FY 1997   FY 1998   FY 1999
                                (10 Mo.)
GENERAL REVENUE FUND

Cost-State Courts Administrator
COURTS officials assumed that the costs due to this proposal would not exceed
$100,000 in any one year.


FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government FY 1997   FY 1998   FY 1999
                                (10 Mo.)

                                      $0        $0        $0

DESCRIPTION

This proposal would allow drug users, relatives of drug users, and certain
others to bring civil actions against drug dealers for damages resulting from
drug use under certain conditions.

This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other
program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental
space.


SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Department of Public Safety - Missouri State Highway Patrol
Department of Health
State Courts Administrator
Office of the Attorney General