LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session
April 16, 1999
TO: Honorable Elliott Naishtat, Chair, House Committee on
Human Services
FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB3640 by Naishtat (relating to expanding the specialized
telecommunications devices assistance program), Committee
Report 1st House, Substituted
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* Estimated Two-Year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Fundsfor *
* HB3640, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: 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. *
* *
* . *
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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:
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*Fiscal Probable Savings/(Cost) from Change in Number of State *
* Year Other - Universal Services Fund Employees from FY 1999 *
* 2000 $(248,882) 2.0 *
* 2001 (238,082) 2.0 *
* 2002 (238,082) 2.0 *
* 2003 (238,082) 2.0 *
* 2004 (238,082) 2.0 *
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Technology Impact
Two computers ($2,700 each), two teletypewriters ($400 each), two
printers ($500 each) for a total of $7,200.
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would broaden the description of individuals eligible for the
Specialized Telecommunications Device Assistance Program to apply to
individuals with disabilities that impair the individuals ability to
access the telephone network.
The bill would create a new Specialized Telecommunications Issues
Advisory Committee and would require the Public Utility Commission and
the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to appoint an
eleven member advisory committee to advise the Commission on issues
regarding telephone network access for individuals with disabilities.
Methodology
The Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing estimates that 430 new
applicants would request assistance through the program in fiscal 2000.
The average cost of equipment is estimated to be $424. It is assumed
that 430 new applicants each year at $424 each would cost $182,320 in per
year.
The cost of two additional employees (2 Admin. Tech. II positions) are
included at $21,852 each. One-time operating expenses are assumed in
year one ($3,600) for furniture and software for the two new employees.
The two new positions would be funded from the Universal Service Fund.
All costs associated with the program would be reimbursed through the
Universal Services Fund. Local telephone exchange carriers are
authorized to pass through their assessment cost for these
reimbursements to their customers.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is
anticipated.
Source Agencies: 473 Public Utility Commission of Texas, 335
Commission for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired
LBB Staff: JK, BB, TP, ER