• CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE
COST ESTIMATE
August 5, 2003
S. 1301
Video Voyeurism Prevention Act of 2003
As reported by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on July 24, 2003
CBO estimates that implementing S. 1301 would have no significant cost to the federal
government. Enacting the bill could affect direct spending and revenues, but CBO estimates
that any such effects would not be significant. S. 1301 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.
S. 1301 would make it illegal to videotape, photograph, or record individuals in certain states
of undress when they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Because the bill would
establish a new federal crime, the government would be able to pursue cases that it otherwise
would not be able to prosecute. However, we expect that S. 1301 would apply to a relatively
small number of offenders, 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 S. 1301 could be subject to criminal fines, the
federal government might collect additional fines if the legislation is enacted. Collections
of such fines are recorded in the budget as revenues, which 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 small number of cases involved.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Mark Grabowicz. This estimate was approved by
Robert A. Sunshine, Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.