Honorable Larry Taylor, Chair, Senate Committee on Education
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2497 by Parker (Relating to the establishment and duties of the Texas 1836 Project.), As Engrossed
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2497, As Engrossed : a negative impact of ($466,760) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2022
($185,380)
2023
($281,380)
2024
($181,380)
2025
($181,380)
2026
($181,380)
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2021
2022
($185,380)
1.0
2023
($281,380)
1.0
2024
($181,380)
1.0
2025
($181,380)
1.0
2026
($181,380)
1.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would establish a nine-member advisory committee known as "The 1836 Project," with members appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Lieutenant Governor. The purpose of the committee would be to promote awareness of Texas state history, and advise state agencies about certain aspects of Texas history. The committee would be required to prepare a pamphlet including certain information about Texas history to the Department of Public Safety and produce a report containing legislative recommendations.
Methodology
The bill would require the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide funding and administrative support for the advisory committee. According to TEA, the bill would require 1.0 FTE to support the work of the advisory committee. Salary, benefits and other costs associated with the employee would total $91,258 in fiscal year 2022 and $87,258 in subsequent fiscal years. TEA estimates a cost of $100,000 in fiscal year 2023 to contract with an external vendor to produce the report that is required by the bill. The agency estimates a cost of $65,682 per fiscal year to print and distribute the pamphlet to driver's license applicants who are new residents or whose provision or learner license expires on the applicant's 18th birthday. The agency also estimates that $28,440 per fiscal year would be required to support the work of the advisory committee. These funds would pay for lodging, meals and incidentals, and mileage and airfare, among other costs.
According to the Department of Public Safety, the bill would have no significant fiscal impact.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
405 Department of Public Safety, 701 Texas Education Agency