LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE
74th Regular Session
April 13, 1995
TO: Honorable Harvey Hilderbran, Chair IN RE: Committee Substitute
Committee on Human Services for House
House of Representatives Bill No. 1062
Austin, Texas
FROM: John Keel, Director
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on House Bill No.
1062 (relating to the establishment of a pilot program to develop
electronic benefits transfer systems that permit the use of food
stamps in farmers markets) this office has determined the
following:
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal
basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions
of the bill.
The bill would require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to
establish an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) pilot program for
farmers markets. DHS would need to ensure that EBT technology
can be used at each farmers market that currently accepts or is
interested in accepting food stamps in each county included in
the program. Each farmer who currently accepts food stamps at a
farmers market in a county included in the program would be
guaranteed access to EBT technology. DHS would be required to
select two or more counties in which to establish the pilot
program.
In addition, the bill would create an interagency task force to
advise and assist DHS in developing the EBT program for farmers
markets and in selecting two or more counties in which to
establish the program.
The bill also requires DHS to submit a report to the Governor and
the 75th Legislature concerning the effectiveness of the pilot
program, requires that task force members be appointed no later
than September 1, 1995, and requires DHS to establish the pilot
programs no later than January 1, 1996. The requirements of this
bill would expire September 1, 1997.
The probable fiscal implication of implementing the provisions of
the bill during each of the first five years following passage
is estimated as follows:
Fiscal Probable Cost Out Probable Cost Out Change in
Year of General Federal Funds 555 Number of State
Revenue Fund 001 Employees from
FY 1995
1996 $51,600 $50,000 .0
1997 51,600 50,000 .0
1998
1999
2000
Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as the
provisions of the bill are in effect.
No fiscal implication to units of local government is
anticipated.
Source: Comptroller of Public Accounts, Department of Human
Services, Department of Agriculture
LBB Staff: JK, MU, DF