LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE
75th Regular Session
March 18, 1997
TO: Honorable Steven Wolens, Chair IN RE: Senate Bill No. 495, As Engrossed
Committee on State Affairs By: Armbrister
House
Austin, Texas
FROM: John Keel, Director
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on SB495 ( Relating
to travel expenses incurred by state officers and employees.)
this office has detemined the following:
Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by SB495-As Engrossed
Implementing the provisions of the bill would result in a net
positive impact of $532,000 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 amend the Travel Regulations Act to update commonly
used travel related terms and provide general and special provisions
relating to travel expenses of state officers and employees.
The bill would also allow for a reduction in the scope of the
travel regulations in the General Appropriations Act.
The
bill would allow a state agency to pay or reimburse a state
employee for a cancellation charge incurred
when that expense
was paid in advance to obtain lower rates and the employee was
unable to use the
transportation due to illness, personal emergency,
or a natural disaster or other nature occurrence. The bill would
establish statutory procedures regarding the payment of mileage,
meals lodging, and transportation expenses related to state
travel.
The bill would take effect September 1, 1997.
Methodolgy
The bill would implement the Texas Performance Review (TPR)
recommendation CG22 in Disturbing the Peace: The Challenge
of Change in Texas Government, by giving agencies the ability
to reimburse employees for unused tickets purchased to obtain
lower rates.
The bill also addresses the TPR recommendation
CG10 in Disturbing the Peace: The Challenge of Change in Texas
Government, by allowing the Comptroller to require the use of
electronic travel vouchers. Currently, state agencies must
file travel vouchers on paper forms and include certain travel
receipts.
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
Savings/(Cost) Savings/(Cost)
from General from Other Funds
Revenue Fund
0001 8042
1998 $266,000 $89,000
1998 266,000 89,000
2000 266,000 89,000
2001 266,000 89,000
2002 266,000 89,000
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 $266,000
1999 266,000
2000 266,000
2001 266,000
2002 266,000
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 ,JD ,KO