According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), HB 47, as introduced, is not expected to have any impact on General Revenue-related funds through the 2026–2027 biennium. However, it will result in increased expenditures from the Crime Victims Compensation Account (Account 469), administered by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), due to expanded medical benefits for victims of sexual assault​.

The bill mandates reimbursement for prescribed follow-up medical care within 30 days of a forensic medical exam. This includes medications such as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and follow-up testing or treatment. Over the five-year fiscal window from 2026 to 2030, projected costs increase from $1.47 million in FY 2026 to $1.55 million in FY 2030, with an annual growth rate of 1.5% to reflect population increases and greater claim volume​.

The largest share of the cost is attributed to the PEP medication and associated follow-up care, estimated at $7,873 per person and expected to see an additional 159 claims in the first year. A small number of cases (1%) are projected to require serious injury follow-up care. Administrative costs include payments to a cost containment vendor and a one-time $7,800 upgrade to the OAG’s claims management software to accommodate the new reimbursement window​.

Importantly, the extension of the sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) certification from two to three years is not expected to generate additional costs. Also, there are no significant fiscal implications anticipated for local governments​.

In summary, while the bill imposes no new burden on the general state budget or localities, it does require modest, targeted increases in spending from an existing dedicated victim services fund to enhance access to post-assault medical care.

HB 47 represents a careful and balanced approach to improving the rights, safety, and well-being of sexual assault survivors in Texas. It strengthens victims' protections during the criminal justice process, ensures survivors can access needed follow-up medical care after forensic exams, promotes public safety by tightening rideshare driver screening, and enhances the quality of medical and legal support available to survivors. These changes are based on recommendations from the Sexual Assault Survivors' Task Force and are designed to make Texas' response to sexual violence more survivor-centered and effective​.

Importantly, HB 47 does not grow the size or scope of government in a significant way. While it does modestly expand duties for existing agencies, it avoids creating any new bureaucracies. It also does not increase the burden on taxpayers — the added medical costs are paid through the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund, which is funded by criminal fines and fees, not general taxes​. The bill’s limited regulatory additions, like requiring rideshare companies to perform sex offender checks and requiring hospitals to train certain staff in basic sexual assault response, are narrowly tailored to protect public safety without placing major burdens on businesses​.

Overall, HB 47 respects and strengthens individual liberty, keeps government appropriately limited, maintains fiscal responsibility, and advances public safety. It reflects careful policymaking that supports survivors without expanding government unnecessarily or creating new costs for everyday Texans. Therefore, Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on HB 47.

• The bill enhances the rights and protections of sexual assault survivors, ensuring they have access to information, timely court processes, medical care, and safe transportation options. It empowers individuals to seek help, move freely, and avoid re-victimization without undue barriers.
• HB 47 reinforces the idea that individuals (including corporations like rideshare companies) are responsible for ensuring the safety of others. It also requires medical professionals and transportation services to take basic, reasonable steps to protect vulnerable people.
• While rideshare companies must perform an additional sex offender registry check on drivers, this is a targeted, minimal burden aimed at public safety and does not create heavy regulation or disrupt overall market freedom.
• Survivors gain more flexibility to terminate leases early if they are unsafe, protecting their right to personal security without being financially trapped in dangerous situations. This adjustment respects property rights while reasonably balancing landlord interests.
• The bill slightly expands certain agency responsibilities but does not create new government entities or broad new regulatory powers. Costs are contained within existing victim support systems (specifically the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund funded by offenders, not taxpayers)​. This maintains the principle of a limited, purpose-driven government.

• HB 3074 (Same As)
• SB 1638 (Same As)