LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
  
                              April 17, 2001
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Patricia Gray, Chair, House Committee on Public
               Health
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  HB1693  by Delisi (Relating to local government plans to
               respond to bioterrorism.), As Introduced
  
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*  Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for    *
*  HB1693, As Introduced: a negative impact of $(407,635) through the    *
*  biennium ending August 31, 2003, for an immediate effective date;     *
*  and a negative impact of $(360,443) through the biennium ending       *
*  August 31, 2003, if the effective date is September 1, 2001.          *
*                                                                        *
*  The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal      *
*  basis for an appropriation of funds to implement to provisions of     *
*  the bill.                                                             *
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All Funds, Six-Year Impact:
  
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*Fiscal    Probable (Cost) from General     Change in Number of State     *
* Year             Revenue Fund               Employees from FY 2001      *
*                      0001                                               *
*  2001                                $0                             0.0 *
*  2002                         (216,639)                             3.0 *
*  2003                         (190,996)                             3.0 *
*  2004                         (190,996)                             3.0 *
*  2005                         (190,996)                             3.0 *
*  2006                         (190,996)                             3.0 *
***************************************************************************
  
The table above applies if the bill were to become effective immediately.
The table below applies if the bill were to become effective September
1, 2001.

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
  
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*Fiscal    Probable (Cost) from General     Change in Number of State     *
* Year             Revenue Fund               Employees from FY 2001      *
*                      0001                                               *
*  2002                        $(169,447)                             2.2 *
*  2003                         (190,996)                             3.0 *
*  2004                         (190,996)                             3.0 *
*  2005                         (190,996)                             3.0 *
*  2006                         (190,996)                             3.0 *
***************************************************************************
  
Technology Impact
  
According to the Texas Department of Health (TDH), three personal
computers, one printer, and software would be needed for the three
additional full-time-equivalents (FTEs).
  
  
Fiscal Analysis
  
The bill would require local governments or interjurisdictional agencies
to include in their emergency management plans provisions for disaster
preparedness and response in the event of an intentional release of
harmful bacteria or viruses (bioterrorism).  The bill would allow local
governments and interjurisdictional agencies to consult with TDH for
assistance in developing these plans and would require TDH to develop
expertise on responding to bioterrorism. The bill would go into effect
immediately if it received two-thirds vote in both houses; otherwise, it
would go to into effect September 1, 2001.
  
  
Methodology
  
According to TDH, three FTEs would be needed to develop expertise in
responding to bioterrorism and to advise counties and municipalities in
accordance with the bill's provisions.  A three month implementation
period is assumed.  If the bill were to take effect immediately the total
amount for salaries and benefits for three FTEs for FY 2002, is
estimated to be $184,030. Other operating expenses, including office
furniture, telephones, supplies and postage, is estimated to be $15,032
in FY 2002.  Travel expenses are estimated to be $10,177 for the 2002-03
biennium.

For a September 1, 2002, effective date, a start-up period of three
months is also assumed.  The total amount for salaries and benefits for
three FTEs for nine months in FY 2002 is estimated to be $138,023.
Other operating expenses are estimated to be $14,749 in FY 2002. Travel
expenses are estimated to be $9,276 in the 2002-03 biennium.
  
  
Local Government Impact
  
Current law requires local governments and interjurisdictional agencies
to maintain or participate in a local or interjurisdictional emergency
management program.  Each local or jurisdictional program is required to
prepare and keep current an emergency management plan providing for
disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.  Local
emergency management plans currently include 25 appendices, one of which
addresses terrorist incident response, including weapons of mass
destruction (nuclear, chemical, or biological agents).

According to analysis by the Comptroller of Public Accounts, if local
emergency management directors or coordinators were required to provide
additional plans to specifically address disaster mitigation,
preparedness, response, and recovery in the event of such an intentional
release, it is estimated that these additional plans could require
between 300 - 500 work hours to prepare.  Costs would vary for local
governments depending on the size and expertise of their emergency
management staff, whether or not a local government would have to
contract for the development of such a plan, and the local region's
logistical requirements. It is anticipated that keeping the plan current
would have a minimal cost. Additional costs could include acquiring and
storing antibiotics in a secured local warehouse.
  
  
Source Agencies:   501   Texas Department of Health, 304   Comptroller
                   of Public Accounts
LBB Staff:         JK, HD, DB, RM