Honorable Kelly Hancock, Chair, Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2951 by Buckley (Relating to the establishment of a service dog pilot program for certain veterans.), As Engrossed
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2951, As Engrossed : a negative impact of ($4,180,926) through the biennium ending August 31, 2025.
The cost would be dependent on appropriation for grants. The analysis assumes $2,000,000 per fiscal year for grants for the pilot program.
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2024
($2,097,713)
2025
($2,083,213)
2026
($2,083,213)
2027
($2,083,213)
2028
$0
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable (Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2024
($2,097,713)
2025
($2,083,213)
2026
($2,083,213)
2027
($2,083,213)
2028
$0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend Government Code to direct the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to establish a pilot program for veterans to assist in mitigating the symptoms of military service-related post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma through the provision of a service dog. The bill would direct TVC to issue a request for proposals from nonprofit corporations to provide trained service dogs and training and services to veterans to participate in the pilot program. The bill would direct TVC to approve one or more nonprofit corporations to provide services through the pilot program according to certain criteria. TVC could accept gifts, grants, and donations to fund the program. The bill would direct TVC to submit a report evaluating the program not later than October 1, 2026. The pilot program would conclude September 1, 2027.
Methodology
The bill would direct TVC to establish the pilot program in fiscal year 2024 and continue the program through the end of fiscal year 2027. TVC estimates the agency would require 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) to oversee the pilot program. The costs estimated with a Grant Specialist III would be $97,713 in the first year and $83,213 in each subsequent year. Additionally, TVC assumes $2.0 million per fiscal year in grant costs for the pilot program.
Technology
FTE-related technology costs are estimated to be $3,700 in fiscal year 2024 and $200 in each subsequent year.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.