LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE
75th Regular Session
April 16, 1997
TO: Honorable Hugo Berlanga, Chair IN RE: House Bill No. 3410
Committee on Public Health By: Hirschi
House
Austin, Texas
FROM: John Keel, Director
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on HB3410 ( Relating
to the practice of psychological associates and psychologists.)
this office has detemined the following:
Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by HB3410-As Introduced
Implementing the provisions of the bill would result in a net
positive impact of $3,251,184 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.
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would allow the master's degree to become the minimum
educational level required for all Licensed Psychologists, Certified
Psychologists, and Licensed Psychological Associate.
Providing
that before September 1, 1998 , the bill would grandparent
any individual who has a master's degree primarily in psychology
from a regionally accredited educational institution and two
years of experience in the field, or related field to become
a Licensed Psychological Associate without examination.
Methodolgy
It is assumed that a $300 application fee, along with a $650
written examination fee will be assessed for an estimated 2,110
applicants. In every fiscal year following 1998, it is estimated
that an additional 610 per year will apply, with 305 actually
becoming certified.
It is assumed that 100% of these certified
psychologists will qualify and apply for licensure as a psychologist
in fiscal year 1998. Each would pay an application fee of $140
and oral exam fee of $300.
The bill would allow for the qualification
for licensure as a psychological associate; It is assumed that
6,850 such applications will be received for fiscal year 1998.
Each would pay an application fee of $150, and be "grandparented"
in as a licensed psychological associate upon meeting the Board's
qualifications.
According to the Comptroller of Public Accounts,
there would be a revenue gain from applications for certification
as psychologists and ongoing revenue gain from payment of renewal
fees by the individuals that pass the exam. The largest increases
in revenue would come from licensing as psychological associates,
individuals without doctoral degrees in psychology.
Costs
associated with this bill include 7.5 additional FTEs, 3 investigator
II positions, 1 secretary, 1.5 for administrative tech. related
to application/renewal duties, and 2 (temporary) data entry
clerks for the initial year of implementation. Also included
were additional operating expenses.
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 Change in Number
Savings/(Cost) Gain/(Loss) from of State
from General General Revenue Employees from
Revenue Fund Fund FY 1997
0001 0001
1998 ($820,780) $2,162,000 7.5
1998 (417,036) 2,327,000 5.5
2000 (548,569) 1,780,000 5.5
2001 (574,040) 1,889,000 5.5
2002 (597,452) 1,997,000 5.5
Net Impact on General Revenue Related Funds:
The probable fiscal implication to General Revenue related funds
during each of the first five years is estimated as follows:
Fiscal Year Probable Net Postive/(Negative)
General Revenue Related Funds
Funds
1998 $1,341,220
1999 1,909,964
2000 1,231,431
2001 1,314,960
2002 1,399,548
Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as
the provisions of the bill are in effect.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government
is anticipated.
Source: Agencies: 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts
520 Board of Examiners of Psychologists
LBB Staff: JK ,BB ,ER