LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE
75th Regular Session
April 27, 1997
TO: Honorable Steven Wolens, Chair IN RE: Senate Bill No. 1055, As Engrossed
Committee on State Affairs By: Haywood
House
Austin, Texas
FROM: John Keel, Director
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on SB1055 ( Relating
to the oversight and operations of regional planning commissions
and councils of governments.) this office has detemined the
following:
Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by SB1055-As Engrossed
Implementing the provisions of the bill would result in a net
negative impact of $(529,994) 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 require the Governor's Office to issue rules
concerning the oversight of commissions and ensure compliance
with these rules.
The bill would designate the Comptroller
of Public Accounts as the cognizant agency for review and approval
of a commission's indirect cost allocation plan.
The bill
would require each planning commissions to seek input from state
agencies that provide funds to the commission on objectives
of the agency to be addressed in the commission's independent
audit. The bill would require state agencies to coordinate
audit efforts through the Governor's Office.
Methodolgy
The Governor's Office estimates that this bill would require
two additional professional staff to implement rule issuing
and ensure compliance. The cost of additional staff and benefits
is estimated at $96,747 annually. The Governor's Office also
estimates additional travel, professional services and equipment
costs of $57,000 in the first year of implementation, $39,500
in the second year, and $24,500 in subsequent years.
The
Comptroller of Public Accounts estimates that cognizant agency
responsibilities for planning commissions would require increased
administrative duties. The Comptroller anticipates contracting
for services associated with these responsibilities at an estimated
$5,000 per commission per year for each of the state's 24 commissions,
for an annual cost of $120,000 per year. This cost could decrease
in future years, once procedures are established.
No cost
savings were eported by the Natural Resource Conservation Commission,
the Department of Transportation, or the Department on Aging
associated with the audit coordination provisions of the bill.
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 Change in Number
Savings/(Cost) of State
from General Employees from
Revenue Fund FY 1997
0001
1998 ($273,747) 2.0
1998 (256,247) 2.0
2000 (241,247) 2.0
2001 (241,247) 2.0
2002 (241,247) 2.0
Net Impact on General Revenue Related Funds:
Fiscal Year Probable Net Postive/(Negative)
General Revenue Related Funds
Funds
1998 ($273,747)
1999 (256,247)
2000 (241,247)
2001 (241,247)
2002 (241,247)
Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as
the provisions of the bill are in effect.
It is expected that there would be some costs to regional planning
commissions associated with the bill's requirements relating
to board member training, salary schedules and compensation
studies, but those costs are not anticipated to be significant.
Source: Agencies: 308 State Auditor's Office
327 Employees Retirement System
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts
601 Department of Transportation
582 Natural Resources Conservation Commission
340 Department on Aging
LBB Staff: JK ,JD ,TL