LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
  
                              March 13, 2001
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Patricia Gray, Chair, House Committee on Public
               Health
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  HB2298  by Thompson (Relating to the training of dental
               hygienists), As Introduced
  
**************************************************************************
*  Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for    *
*  HB2298, As Introduced:  an impact of $0 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.                                                             *
**************************************************************************
  
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:
  
          ****************************************************
          *  Fiscal Year  Probable Net Positive/(Negative)   *
          *               Impact to General Revenue Related  *
          *                             Funds                *
          *       2002                                   $0  *
          *       2003                                    0  *
          *       2004                                    0  *
          *       2005                                    0  *
          *       2006                                    0  *
          ****************************************************
  
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
  
***************************************************************************
*Fiscal    Probable Savings/(Cost) from    Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss)   *
* Year         General Revenue Fund         from General Revenue Fund     *
*                      0001                            0001               *
*  2002                         $(25,000)                         $25,000 *
*  2003                                 0                               0 *
*  2004                                 0                               0 *
*  2005                                 0                               0 *
*  2006                                 0                               0 *
***************************************************************************
  
Technology Impact
  
The agency estimates a cost of $5,000 for programming in the first year.
  
  
Fiscal Analysis
  
The bill would amend the Occupations Code to require the Texas State
Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) to approve and implement a dental
hygiene equivalency training program and to allow an eligible applicant
who provides evidence of completing an approved training program to
receive a dental hygienist license.  The bill would establish program
guidelines and requirements and applicant eligibility criteria.  The bill
would also establish training requirements for dentists and dental
hygienists participating in the program.  The bill would require the
TSBDE to implement a dental hygiene equivalency training program no later
than January 1, 2002.  The TSBDE would adopt rules necessary to
implement the provisions of the bill.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2002.
  
  
Methodology
  
The TSBDE estimates $25,000 would be needed during the first year to add
new information fields to its licensing database and for additional
committee and board meetings in order to develop rules for an equivalency
training program and calibration courses for dentists and dental
hygienists who would provide clinical training.  This analysis assumes
that dental and dental hygiene schools would provide calibration courses
and instruction to board members on accreditation standards.

It is assumed the agency would adjust fees to offset any cost associated
with the implementation of the bill.
  
  
Local Government Impact
  
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
  
  
Source Agencies:   504   State Board of Dental Examiners
LBB Staff:         JK, HD, RT, MW