LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 29, 2003

TO:
Honorable Tom Craddick, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives
 
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB1844 by Grusendorf (Relating to a program under which classroom teachers are reimbursed for personal funds expended on classroom supplies.), As Passed 2nd House



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1844, As Passed 2nd House: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2005.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.



Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2004 $0
2005 $0
2006 $0
2007 $0
2008 ($7,400,000)




Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1
2004 $0
2005 $0
2006 $0
2007 $0
2008 ($7,400,000)

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would create a program to reimburse teachers for classroom supplies purchased solely for the benefit of students. No general revenue funds would be appropriated for the reimbursement program through and including fiscal year 2007.

Methodology

According to the Texas Education Agency, there are more than 290,000 classroom teachers in Texas. If each teacher spends an average of $25, the cost of the program to the state would be a $7,250,00 million per year. TEA indicates that administrative funding of approximately $150,000 annually would be required, for a total cost of $7,400,000.

The bill charges the Commissioner with identifying state or federal sources of funds for the program, specifically citing the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999. The Texas Education Agency indicates that either this or other sources of federal funding could be obtained or transferred to fund the program, which could reduce the cost of this program to General Revenue

The cost estimate assumes that reimbursements, and the associated administrative costs, would begin in fiscal year 2008.


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:
JK, RR, CT, UP, RN