LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE
75th Regular Session
April 18, 1997
TO: Honorable Ron Wilson, Chair IN RE: Senate Bill No. 486, As Engrossed
Committee on Licensing & Administrative Procedures By: Brown
House
Austin, Texas
FROM: John Keel, Director
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on SB486 ( Relating
to the regulation of geologists, geophysicists, and soil scientists;
providing an administrative and a criminal penalty.) this office
has detemined the following:
Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by SB486-As Engrossed
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.
Fiscal Analysis
This bill would establish a Board of Registration for Geologists,
Geophysicists and Soil Scientists for the examination, registration
and discipline of these professions. The bill would create
a nine member board appointed by the governor. The board would
appoint an executive director to run day-to-day operations.
The
bill would authorize the board to adopt and enforce rules, administer
examinations, issue certificates of registration, impose administrative
penalties for violations, and perform other duties to administer
the provisions of this bill. The bill would allow the board
to set fees necessary to offset expenses incurred in administering
the provisions of this bill. The bill would also provide that
all funds collected be deposited in a special fund from which
all expenses related to administration and enforcement would
be paid. Any unexpended balance in the fund at the end of the
fiscal year would lapse to the General Revenue Fund.
This
bill would take effect September 1, 1997, except that Sections
18 and 42 take effect January 1, 1999.
Methodolgy
It is estimated that a staff of approximately 15 full-time equivalent
positions (FTEs) plus associated operating costs would be required
to administer the bill. This estimate is based on the assumption
that approximately 10,000 out of an estimated 23,000 professionals
in this field would apply for a certificate of registration.
It is estimated that the costs to administer the bill would
be approximately $1,200,000 in the first year and $1,000,000
every year thereafter.
This bill would create a new special
fund and a dedicated revenue source in the State Treasury.
The creation and/or continuation of special funds and dedicated
revenue sources outside the General Revenue Fund could further
restrict the Legislature's ability to appropriate revenues for
general operating purposes.
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 Revenue Probable Change in Number
Gain/(Loss) from Savings/(Cost) of State
New - from New - Employees from
Geoscientists Fund Geoscientists Fund FY 1997
NEW-OTH NEW-OTH
1998 $1,200,000 ($1,200,000) 15.0
1998 1,000,000 (1,000,000) 15.0
2000 1,000,000 (1,000,000) 15.0
2001 1,000,000 (1,000,000) 15.0
2002 1,000,000 (1,000,000) 15.0
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: 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts
LBB Staff: JK ,TH ,JD ,CG