LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session April 27, 2001 TO: Honorable John T. Smithee, Chair, House Committee on Insurance FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: SB496 by Shapleigh (Relating to a study of barriers to providing binational health benefit plan coverage.), As Engrossed ************************************************************************** * No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** The bill would require the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to jointly study the provision of health benefit plan coverage in Texas to people who are not residents of this state or any other state of the U.S. The study would identify legal and practical impediments to providing binational health plan coverage and include recommendations to facilitate provision of binational health plan coverage. The bill directs TDI and TDH to jointly issue a report of their findings and include proposals for legislation to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by November 1, 2002. The bill gives TDI and TDH joint authority to appoint an advisory committee to assist with the study. TDI estimates that it would require a total of two Full-time equivalent (FTE) positions the first year and two-thirds of an FTE the second year. It is assumed any additional resources needed to implement the provisions of the bill could reasonably be absorbed within the two agencies. If the bill does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, the bill takes effect September 1, 2001. The bill expires on December 31, 2002. Local Government Impact No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 454 Texas Department of Insurance, 501 Texas Department of Health LBB Staff: JK, JO, DE