LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
  
                              April 29, 2001
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Ron Wilson, Chair, House Committee on Licensing
               & Administrative Procedures
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  SB697  by Wentworth (Relating to the regulation of the
               practice of professional engineering.), As Engrossed
  
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*  Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for    *
*  SB697, As Engrossed:  positive 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:
  
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*Fiscal        Probable         Probable Revenue    Change in Number of  *
* Year    Savings/(Cost) from   Gain/(Loss) from   State Employees from  *
*        General Revenue Fund General Revenue Fund        FY 2001        *
*                0001                 0001                               *
*  2002             $(238,934)             $238,934                  4.0 *
*  2003              (174,461)              174,461                  4.0 *
*  2004              (174,461)              174,461                  4.0 *
*  2005              (174,461)              174,461                  4.0 *
*  2006              (174,461)              174,461                  4.0 *
**************************************************************************
  
Technology Impact
  
The agency estimates technology costs of $32,093 due to the
implementation of the bill, including programming costs of $25,493 and
$6,000 for additional computer equipment and printers.
  
  
Fiscal Analysis
  
The bill would amend Article 3271a, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes (the
Texas Engineering Practice Act), by authorizing the Board by rule to
mandate up to 8 hours of continuing professional education for persons
regulated by the Board.  The bill would also require the Board to review
a proposal for the procurement of services issued by a governmental
entity to determine whether the services are within the scope of the
practice of professional engineering.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2001.
  
  
Methodology
  
The agency estimated the need for four additional FTEs to implement the
provisions of the bill.  The agency estimates that approximately 4,000
professional engineers would allow their licenses to expire the first
year and an additional 1,500 would let their licenses expire each year
thereafter.

It is assumed the agency would adjust fees to offset any costs or revenue
loss associated with the implementation of the bill.
  
  
Source Agencies:   460   Texas Board of Professional Engineers
LBB Staff:         JK, JO, CL, RT