LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session
April 21, 1999
TO: Honorable Warren Chisum, Chair, House Committee on
Environmental Regulation
FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: SB 1238 by Nelson (Relating to accreditation of
environmental testing laboratories.), As Engrossed
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* Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for *
* SB1238, As Engrossed: positive impact of $27,964 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:
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* Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) *
* Impact to General Revenue Related *
* Funds *
* 2000 $46,379 *
* 2001 (18,415) *
* 2002 15,032 *
* 2003 8,041 *
* 2004 10,541 *
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All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
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*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 $(43,621) $90,000 0.6 *
* 2001 (108,415) 90,000 1.8 *
* 2002 (114,968) 130,000 1.8 *
* 2003 (176,959) 185,000 2.8 *
* 2004 (174,459) 185,000 2.8 *
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Technology Impact
Estimates above include two personal computers at $2,500 each.
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to administer
an environmental testing laboratory accreditation program. The Board of
Health would establish an accreditation fee in an amount sufficient to
defray the cost of administering the provisions of the bill.
Methodology
Cost estimates above assume that, initially, the certification program
would be operated primarily with existing staff. Additional staff would
be added as the program grows.
Revenue assumptions anticipate that approximately 20 environmental
chemistry laboratories would require certification in years 1 and 2,
increasing to 30 by year 3, and 35 by years 4 and 5. It is assumed that
the TDH would assess a $4,000 per year fee during the first three years
and increase to $5,000 in the fourth and fifth year. New revenues added
in association with certification of microbiology labs are assumed to be
approximately $10,000 per year. TDH states that laboratory fees would
be evaluated on an annual basis and adjusted as necessary.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies: 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 501
Department of Health
LBB Staff: JK, DE, TP, KF