LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
  
                            February 13, 2001
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Patricia Gray, Chair, House Committee on Public
               Health
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  HB251  by Keffer (Relating to certification of food
               managers.), As Introduced
  
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*  Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for    *
*  HB251, As Introduced:  negative impact of $(117,337) through the      *
*  biennium ending August 31, 2003.                                      *
*                                                                        *
*  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                *
          *       2002                           $(179,920)  *
          *       2003                               62,583  *
          *       2004                              279,563  *
          *       2005                              298,043  *
          *       2006                              348,023  *
          ****************************************************
  
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
  
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*Fiscal   Probable Cost from    Probable Revenue    Change in Number of  *
* Year   General Revenue Fund     Gain from New    State Employees from  *
*                0001            General Revenue          FY 2001        *
*                                    Related                             *
*  2002             $(314,320)             $134,400                  3.0 *
*  2003              (300,297)              362,880                  4.0 *
*  2004              (175,297)              454,860                  4.0 *
*  2005              (175,297)              473,340                  4.0 *
*  2006              (175,297)              523,320                  4.0 *
**************************************************************************
  
Technology Impact
  
Four Personnel Computers, 2 Notebook Computers, 1 Desktop Computer for
Grading Test/Score Equipment, Laser for Grading Equipment, Other Grading
Test/Score Equipment, Grading Test/Score Software
  
  
Fiscal Analysis
  
The bill would require the Department of Health (TDH) to establish a
certification program for food managers and by rule prescribe the
requirements for issuing and renewing a food manager certificate. The
bill would require adoption of the rules not later than January 1, 2002.
It would also require TDH to adopt criteria to approve examinations and
select examination sites. The bill would allow TDH to adopt a fee, not
to exceed $35, for issuance and renewal of a food manager certificate.
  
  
Methodology
  
According to the Department of Health, 4 FTEs would be needed to
implement the provisions of the bill. For FY 2002, salary, benefits, rent
and travel are estimated assuming a 3 month start-up period (It is
assumed that only 3 FTEs would be need in fiscal year 2002).  Totals for
the 2002-03 biennium are estimated to be $218,631 for salaries, $61,829
for benefits, $21,847 for rent, and $1,838 for travel. One-time expenses
for FY 2002 include $22,500 in operating costs such as modular units,
file cabinets and other office supplies, and $34,972  for computers,
printers and software. In the 2002-2003 biennium, $125,000 in each year
is estimated for test bank development. Total costs in the 2002-2003
biennium is estimated to be $614,616.

The bill allows TDH to adopt a fee for food manager certification not to
exceed $35 for issuance or renewal after five years. The department
estimates that 14,208 food managers would be certified statewide during
the 2002-03 biennium. TDH also estimates certificates issued in FY 2004
will be 12,996, 13,524 in FY 2005 and 14,952 in FY  2006, based on 70%
turnover rate. At $35 per certification, the estimated revenue collected
in fees for the 2002-03 biennium is $497,280. The bill would allow TDH
to require fixed or mobile retail food establishments holding permits
issued by the state to employ a certified food manager beginning
February 1, 2002.
  
  
Local Government Impact
  
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is
anticipated.
  
  
Source Agencies:   501   Texas Department of Health
LBB Staff:         JK, HD, RM