LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session
May 13, 1999
TO: Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Health
Services
FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB1860 by Gutierrez (Relating to establishing an
acanthosis nigricans screening pilot program in public
and private schools in certain counties.), As Engrossed
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* Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for *
* HB1860, As Engrossed: negative impact of $(471,404) 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. *
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General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:
****************************************************
* Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) *
* Impact to General Revenue Related *
* Funds *
* 2000 $(412,312) *
* 2001 (59,092) *
* 2002 (59,092) *
* 2003 (59,092) *
* 2004 (59,092) *
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All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
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*Fiscal Probable Savings/(Cost) from Change in Number of State *
* Year General Revenue Fund Employees from FY 1999 *
* 0001 *
* 2000 $(412,312) 1.0 *
* 2001 (59,092) 1.0 *
* 2002 (59,092) 1.0 *
* 2003 (59,092) 1.0 *
* 2004 (59,092) 1.0 *
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Technology Impact
Technology acquisitions of one computer ($2,000) and laser printer
($2,500) are assumed.
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require University of Texas System to establish a pilot
program to screen of public and private school children at the same time
of hearing and vision testing; develop rules outlining the procedures
necessary to administer screening activities; and monitor the quality of
the screening activities provided.
Methodology
It is assumed that one health program specialist and related operating
costs would be required to administer the program. It is assumed that
trainers to train an estimated 15,000 screeners would be hired through a
professional services contract. Additional costs could include
production of a training video.
It is assumed that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) would provide the
space for the training sessions for the school health professionals from
their district and any needed audio visual equipment required for the
training. TEA would also provide the registration and notification of
the workshops, and that TEA would absorb these costs within existing
resources.
The bill would have a potential fiscal impact on Medicaid and Title V
programs in the event that children diagnosed as a result of these
screens seek services through the these state programs. According to
the Department of Health, increased costs in the Medicaid and Title V
programs would be absorbed with current agency resources.
Local Government Impact
According to the Texas Education Agency school districts would be
required to ensure the screenings are conducted and to maintain
screening records for each student in attendance. TEA indicates that if
the cost of screening and data/reporting requirements is as little as $1
per student, the annual local cost associated with this bill would be
roughly $3.9 million. This cost would increase by approximately 2
percent per year due to enrollment growth.
Source Agencies: 701 Texas Education Agency - Administration, 501
Department of Health, 720 The University of Texas
System Administration
LBB Staff: JK, TP, AZ, ER