H.R. 4223, SAFE DOSES Act

As ordered reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary on June 6, 2012

CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 4223 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 for each year.

H.R. 4223 would establish new federal crimes relating to the theft of certain medical products. As a result, the government might be able to pursue cases that it otherwise would not be able to prosecute. CBO expects that H.R. 4223 would apply to a relatively small number of additional 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. 4223 could be subject to civil and criminal fines, the federal government might collect additional fines if the legislation is enacted. Civil and criminal fines are recorded as revenues. Criminal fines are 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 relatively small number of cases likely to be affected.

H.R. 4223 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.

On March 16, 2012, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for S. 1002, the Safe Doses Act, as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on March 8, 2012. The two bills are similar and the cost estimates are the same.