LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 7, 2003

TO:
Honorable Frank Madla, Chair, Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
 
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB1877 by Hardcastle (Relating to creating the rural physician relief program.), As Engrossed



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1877, As Engrossed: 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 $0




Fiscal Year Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from
New General Revenue Dedicated - Rural Physician Relief		 Probable (Cost) from
New General Revenue Dedicated - Rural Physician Relief
2004 $2,407,970 ($2,407,970)
2005 $2,407,970 ($2,407,970)
2006 $2,407,970 ($2,407,970)
2007 $2,407,970 ($2,407,970)
2008 $2,407,970 ($2,407,970)

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would establish a Rural Physician Relief Program under the Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA) and would pay physicians providing relief in rural areas from fees charged to physicians participating in the program. ORCA would charge a fee for physicians participating in the program and deposit the proceeds in the newly created General Revenue Dedicated - Rural Physician Relief account. The new account, which would consist of fee receipts as well as gifts, grants, donations, and contributions, could be appropriated only for program expenses.


Methodology

The Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA) estimates that there would be 798 physicians participating in the program and each would require 24 hours of relief services at $85 per hour. ORCA also estimates that each of the 798 physicians would be charged $125 per day of over-time for three days and $200 per day for three days for other costs.

 

The bill would create a dedicated account in the General Revenue Fund. Legislative policy, implemented as Government Code 403.094, consolidated special funds (except those affected by constitutional, federal, or other restrictions) into the General Revenue Fund as of August 31, 1993 and eliminated all applicable statutory revenue dedications as of August 31, 1995. Each subsequent Legislature has reviewed bills that affect funds consolidation. The account dedication included in the bill would be subject to funds consolidation review by the current Legislature.

 

The bill would take effect September 1, 2003.


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 357 Office of Rural Community Affairs
LBB Staff:
JK, EB, JO, DLBa, RT, DE