As ordered reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary on December 4, 2013
CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 3627 would have no significant cost to the federal government. Enacting the bill could affect direct spending and revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. However, CBO estimates that any effects would be insignificant.
H.R. 3627 would broaden the coverage of current laws that address domestic assaults by certain repeat offenders. As a result, the government might be able to pursue cases that it otherwise would not be able to prosecute. CBO expects that the bill would apply to a relatively small number of offenders, however, so any increase in costs for law enforcement, court proceedings, or prison operations would not be significant. Any such costs would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
Because those prosecuted and convicted under H.R. 3627 could be subject to criminal fines, the federal government might collect additional fines if the legislation is enacted. Criminal fines are recorded as revenues, deposited in the Crime Victims Fund, and later spent. CBO expects that any additional revenues and direct spending would not be significant because of the small number of cases likely to be affected.
H.R. 3627 also would require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to prepare a report, within 180 days of the bill’s enactment and again three years after enactment, on the penalties for child abuse in states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Based on the costs of similar activities currently carried out by DOJ, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 3627 would not have a significant effect on spending by the department.
H.R. 3627 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments.