LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 24, 2003

TO:	Honorable Florence Shapiro, Chair, Senate Committee on Education
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB757 by Giddings (Relating to the continuation of the higher education assistance pilot program. ), Committee Report 2nd House, As Amended

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill permanently establishes the Higher Education Assistance Program, which was previously a pilot program. This would require the Coordinating Board to provide prospective students in areas of the state with the lowest incidence of higher education participation with information and assistance related to enrollment, admission, and financial aid. It also requires the Coordinating Board to submit a report to the Legislature on the effectiveness of the program not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year.

The fiscal impact of the bill on the THECB would be from a permanent need to allocate staff time (estimated as an additional one-half time employee) to oversee this permanent program.  There would also be costs for support materials and workshops for prospective students. Total of these costs is expected to be approximately $93,000 annually.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

781 Higher Education Coordinating Board

LBB Staff:

JK, CT, PF, DSB