The Crime Victims Board (CVB) awards compensatory damages to victims of crime, focusing mainly on those whose victimization was violent in nature. Damages are awarded to victims for loss of earnings, essential personal property loss, and medical or counseling services incurred. The CVB provides grants in aid to 185 local not-for-profit agencies, that assist witnesses and victims. The CVB serves as the State's advocate for crime victims rights, needs and interests.

The Executive proposes an All Funds appropriation of $69,253,000 which represents a $1,876,000 or 2.8% increase from State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2002-03 spending levels.

This agency is included in the Public Protection and General Government bill.

State Operations

The Executive recommends an All Funds State Operations appropriation of $6,139,000, representing an increase of $159,000 over SFY 2002-03 spending levels. The Executive proposes the reduction of six positions through attrition in SFY 2003-2004 and the transfer of certain administrative functions to the Division of Criminal Justice Services, resulting in net savings of $165,000.

Aid To Localities

The Executive recommends an overall Aid to Localities appropriation of $63,114,000, a decrease of $1,717,000 or 2.8 percent. The decrease is attributable, in part, to a reduction in collections of fines levied against convicted offenders. This decrease is offset by a $4,065,000 increase in Special Revenue - Federal funds for the compensation of victims.

The Executive proposes several increases in various fees and surcharges to compensate victims of crime. While there is no proposal to enhance enforcement in collection of these surcharges and fees, the Article VII proposals are expected to generate $16,600,000 in additional aid to victims of crime.

Article VII

The Executive introduces legislation to:

• Increase the Crime Victims Assistance Fee from $10 to $20;
• Impose a Crime Victims Assistance Fee of $5 on Vehicle and Traffic Offenses;
• Increase mandatory surcharges on penal law convictions by 25 to 50 percent; and
• Increase the mandatory surcharges on Vehicle and Traffic convictions by 25 to 50 percent.