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cost estimate
June 22, 2012
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As ordered reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary on June 6, 2012
CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 5889 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. 5889 would establish new federal crimes relating to acts of violence committed on or against ships or maritime fixed platforms and criminal acts involving the use of nuclear materials. 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. 5889 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. 5889 would 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 additional cases likely to be affected.
CBO has not reviewed H.R. 5889 for intergovernmental or private-sector mandates. Section 4 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act excludes from the application of that act any legislative provisions that are necessary for the ratification or implementation of international treaty obligations. CBO has determined that the bill falls within that exclusion.