LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 75th Regular Session May 9, 1997 TO: Honorable Hugo Berlanga, Chair IN RE: House Bill No. 2091, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted Committee on Public Health By: Coleman House Austin, Texas FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on HB2091 ( Relating to the regulation of the practice of therapeutic optometry.) this office has detemined the following: Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by HB2091-Committee Report 1st House, Substituted Implementing the provisions of the bill would result in a net impact of $0 to General Revenue Related Funds through the biennium ending August 31, 1999. 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 amend sections 1.02 and 1.03 of the Texas Optometry Act, and add Section 1.04. Section 1.03 (d) would require the Optometry Board to adopt rules setting forth specific classifications of pharmaceutical agents therapeutic optometrists may use in the practice of therapeutic optometry. Section 1.03 (f) and (g) list the types of oral medications that a therapeutic optometrist may prescribe and the types of treatment procedures that may be performed without the use of lasers. Section 1.03 (h) would require a therapeutic optometrist who treats glaucoma to be certified by the board. Section 1.04 would require the University of Houston College of Optometry and the University of Texas Health Science Center to conduct a study analyzing the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of laser surgery performed by therapeutic optometrists and to submit a written report not later than January 1 of each year to the presiding officer of both houses of the legislature. Fiscal Analysis The bill would result in a net impact of $0 to the general revenue fund since the Optometry Board would raise fees to cover its costs. The Optometry Board would increase its workforce by one-half an FTE. It is assumed that the College of Optometry and Health Science Center would utilize patient fees and grants to cover costs associated with the study. To implement the bill, the institutions would need increased appropriation authority. Methodolgy Optometry Board: 1. One-half an additional FTE to perform new credentialing services. The FTE would be classified at Group 10, receiving $10,326 per year in salary and $2,603 per year in benefits. 2. $22,776 in year one for printing and mailing new rule and credentialing information. Remaining expenses relate to computer programming and support. College of Optometry and Health Science Center: 1. $60,000 per year for professional services. 2. $35,000 per year for review and assessment of project, and other operating expenses. 3. $450,000 in year one for surgical and other equipment. The probable fiscal implications of implementing the provisions of the bill during each of the first five years following passage is estimated as follows: Five Year Impact: Fiscal Year Probable Probable Revenue Probable Probable Revenue Change in Number Savings/(Cost) Gain/(Loss) from Savings/(Cost) Gain/(Loss) from of State from General General Revenue from Other Other Employees from Revenue Fund: Fund Educational and Educational and FY 1997 Board of Optometry General Income/ General Income/ GR-Dedicated GR-Dedicated 0001 0001 8022 8022 1998 ($46,185) $46,185 ($591,185) $591,185 0.5 1998 (15,609) 15,609 (110,609) 110,609 0.5 2000 (15,609) 15,609 (110,609) 110,609 0.5 2001 (15,609) 15,609 (110,609) 110,609 0.5 2002 (15,609) 15,609 (110,609) 110,609 0.5 Net Impact on General Revenue Related Funds: Fiscal Year Probable Net Postive/(Negative) General Revenue Related Funds Funds 1998 $0 1999 0 2000 0 2001 0 2002 0 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: Agencies: 783 University of Houston System Administration 514 Optometry Board 720 University of Texas System Administration LBB Staff: JK ,BB