HB 314

ON APRIL 15, 2025, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 252 FOR HOU SE BILL 314, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 252, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 sets the maximum award of compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of 1976 at 105% of the national average of the maximum compensation award provided by the 50 states within the United States, the District of Columbia, and the United States Virgin Islands, rounded up to the nearest $100 , instead of stating the legislative intent that 105% of the national average be the minimum amount of the maximum awa rd. Retains the present law requirement that the state treasurer compare the maximum award limit annually, but replaces the present law deadline of October 1 of each year with a requirement that the state treasurer publish any adjustment to the limit by May 1 of the comparison year. If the maximum award decreases from the immediately preceding maximum award determination, then , instead of requiring the state treasurer to adjust the limit to 105% of the national average, this amendment requires the state treasurer to obtain the written approval of the chair of the committee on finance, ways and means of the senate and the chair of the committee having jurisdiction over finance, ways, and means in the house of representatives prior to publishing the reduce d maximum award. If written approval is not obtained prior to the May 1 publication date, then the maximum award must not be decreased. This amendment requires that, b y June 30, 2025, the state treasurer shall publish on the department of treasury web site the maximum compensation award for claims filed for crimes occurring on or after July 1, 2025.