LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session March 12, 2001 TO: Honorable David Sibley, Chair, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: SB697 by Wentworth (Relating to the regulation of the practice of professional engineering.), As Introduced ************************************************************************** * Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for * * SB697, As Introduced: 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: ************************************************************************** *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, RT