LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session
May 12, 1999
TO: Honorable Paul Sadler, Chair, House Committee on Public
Education
FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: SB1380 by Shapleigh (Relating to review of criminal
history record information of certified public school
educators, persons admitted to educator preparation
programs, and persons seeking educator certification and
to designation of State Board for Educator Certification
investigators as peace officers), As Engrossed
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* Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for *
* SB1380, As Engrossed: negative impact of $(410,953) 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. *
* *
* This bill version contains a provision that the bill will not be *
* implemented unless there is a specific appropriation to fund *
* implementation within House Bill 1, the General Appropriations *
* Act. *
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General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:
****************************************************
* Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) *
* Impact to General Revenue Related *
* Funds *
* 2000 $(915,959) *
* 2001 505,006 *
* 2002 505,006 *
* 2003 503,236 *
* 2004 505,006 *
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All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
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*Fiscal Probable Revenue Probable Change in Number of *
* Year Gain/(Loss) from Savings/(Cost) from State Employees from *
* General Revenue Fund General Revenue Fund FY 1999 *
* 0001 0001 *
* 2000 $699,300 $(1,615,259) 12.0 *
* 2001 1,050,000 (544,994) 12.0 *
* 2002 1,050,000 (544,994) 12.0 *
* 2003 1,050,000 (546,764) 12.0 *
* 2004 1,050,000 (544,994) 12.0 *
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Technology Impact
The bill would require a significant expansion of the Automated
Fingerprint Identification System of the Department of Public Safety
(DPS). Additional technology costs would be limited to personal
computers and associated equipment for new staff. Total technology
impact is estimated at $1,344,578 during fiscal year 2000.
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)
to obtain, from the FBI and DPS, criminal history information on all
individuals admitted into an educator preparation program, and all
applicants for an educator certificate. This requirement would begin on
January 1, 2000. Also, the bill would authorize the Board to collect a
fee from these individuals.
Methodology
DPS currently conducts 55,000 criminal history checks per year at the
request of SBEC. Approximately 11,000 individuals each year are admitted
to educator preparation programs. Conducting a national check through
the FBI requires collecting a full set of fingerprints from the
individual. The cost of conducting the state check is $15; the FBI check
costs $25. SBEC will charge individuals a fee to offset these costs.
It is estimated that 70,000 record checks for Educator Certification
would be received in fiscal year 2001. This will generate revenue of
$1,050,000 ($15 x 70,000) for the General Revenue Fund in the second
year. The estimate for fiscal year 2000 was reduced proportionately
because fee income would not begin until January, 2000.
DPS would have to significantly expand the capacity of the Automated
Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) in order to process, in a timely
manner, the projected number of fingerprint cards that would be required
by the bill. Costs for additional hardware and storage capacity for
AFIS are estimated at $1,344,578 during fiscal year 2000.
The bill would also require an additional 12 full-time equivalent
employees in DPS to process the record checks and fees, including 5
Fingerprint Technicians III.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is
anticipated.
Source Agencies: 701 Texas Education Agency - Administration, 405
Department of Public Safety
LBB Staff: JK, CT, RN