LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 87TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 25, 2021

TO:
Honorable Larry Taylor, Chair, Senate Committee on Education
 
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB2954 by Thompson, Senfronia (relating to a suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention  grant program for certain public elementary schools.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted


Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2954, Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted : a negative impact of ($11,231,272) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is required to implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, TEA may, but is not required to, implement a provision of this Act using other appropriations available for that purpose.

General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:

Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to
General Revenue Related Funds
2022($5,617,636)
2023($5,613,636)
2024($5,613,636)
2025($5,613,636)
2026$0

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($5,617,636)1.0
2023($5,613,636)1.0
2024($5,613,636)1.0
2025($5,613,636)1.0
2026$0


Fiscal Analysis

The bill's provisions create the Elementary School Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Grant Program to assist schools to support age-appropriate, evidence-based strategies in elementary schools to reduce current and future risks of students engaging in suicidal ideations and behaviors.

Methodology

TEA estimates a per campus grant of $10,000 and 550 grants per year (approximately 10 percent of statewide elementary campuses) for a total grant award of $5,500,000.  The agency also estimates the need for 1 additional FTE to coordinate the grant and to identify and disseminate evidence-based and developmentally appropriate strategies and best practices to reduce student suicidal ideations and behaviors.  Annual salary and benefit costs would be $111,636.  Other operating expenses would be $6,000 in FY 2022 and $2,000 in subsequent years. 

The bill's provisions expire September 1, 2025.

Local Government Impact

School districts and charter schools that establish a local suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention program and/or participate in the grant may incur additional costs, including the provision of significant resources to participating schools.


Source Agencies:
529 Hlth & Human Svcs Comm, 701 Texas Education Agency
LBB Staff:
JMc, SL, AH