LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 75th Regular Session May 14, 1997 TO: Honorable Bob Bullock IN RE: Senate Bill No. 1403, As Passed 2nd House Lieutenant Governor Moncrief Senate Austin, Texas FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on SB1403 ( Relating to the establishment and funding of a blindness education, screening, and treatment program.) this office has detemined the following: Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by SB1403-As Passed 2nd House No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 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 require the establishment and funding of a blindness education, screening, and treatment program. The Texas Commission for the Blind must establish and implement this program by January 1, 1998. The Department of Public Safety would collect an optional fee of $1.00 for the issuance and renewal of a driver's license or personal identification card to fund the Blindness Screening, and Treatment Program and transfer the revenue to the comptroller for deposit. According to the Comptroller of Public Accounts, there could be a gain to the General Revenue Fund from the additional fee. However, the specific effect is dependent on the number of people who would choose to pay the additional fees. It is assumed that the Commission for the Blind would implement the new program only to the extent that funds are available from these fees. The Department of Public Safety has identified costs related to computer programming to modify the Distributed Drivers License System and the Central Cash Receiving Office to implement the provisions of the bill. However, the costs are not significant. 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: 318 Commission for the Blind 405 Department of Public Safety 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts LBB Staff: JK ,BB ,ER