LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session May 11, 1999 TO: Honorable Florence Shapiro, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB1544 by Haggerty (Relating to registration of engineering firms and to the publication by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers of a roster of engineers and engineering firms.), As Engrossed ************************************************************************** * Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for * * HB1544, As Engrossed: impact of $0 through the biennium ending * * August 31, 2001. * * * * The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal * * basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of * * the bill. * ************************************************************************** General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact: **************************************************** * Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) * * Impact to General Revenue Related * * Funds * * 2000 $0 * * 2001 0 * * 2002 0 * * 2003 0 * * 2004 0 * **************************************************** All Funds, Five-Year Impact: ************************************************************************** *Fiscal Probable Probable Revenue Change in Number of * * Year Savings/(Cost) from Gain/(Loss) from State Employees from * * General Revenue Fund General Revenue Fund FY 1999 * * 0001 0001 * * 2000 $(125,554) $125,554 1.0 * * 2001 (109,554) 109,554 1.0 * * 2002 (109,554) 109,554 1.0 * * 2003 (109,554) 109,554 1.0 * * 2004 (109,554) 109,554 1.0 * ************************************************************************** Fiscal Analysis The bill would amend Article 3271a, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes (the Texas Engineering Practice Act), by requiring that firms, partnerships, corporations and joint stock associations engaged in the practice of professional engineering register with the Board of Professional Engineers. The registration would be on an annual basis and would include payment of a fee not to exceed $100. The bill would take effect September 1, 1999. Methodology The Board of Registration for Professional Engineers estimates that about 7,000 Texas firms and 1,000 out-of-state firms will be required to register and pay a registration fee. It is assumed the Board would set the annual fee at a level to offset the cost of the additional personnel needed to implement the provision of the bill. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: LBB Staff: JK, SD, TH