LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 9, 2003

TO:	Honorable Geanie Morrison, Chair, House Committee on Higher Education
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2555 by Chavez (Relating to requiring a course in multicultural or gender studies in baccalaureate degree programs at public institutions of higher education.), As Introduced

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2555, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($10,053,146) 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.

General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2004	($5,026,471)
2005	($5,026,675)
2006	($5,041,031)
2007	($5,056,306)
2008	($5,072,011)

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable (Cost) from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1	Probable Savings/(Cost) from GR DEDICATED ACCOUNTS 994	Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2003
2004	($5,026,471)	($690,000)	61.0
2005	($5,026,675)	($690,000)	61.0
2006	($5,041,031)	($690,000)	61.0
2007	($5,056,306)	($690,000)	61.0
2008	($5,072,011)	($690,000)	61.0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would require every student to complete a course in multicultural or gender studies in order to receive a baccalaureate degree from a public university.

Methodology

Based on responses from institutions of higher education there would be a cost to some of the institutions for additional faculty and operating expenses, whereas others already have this requirement in place. 

The University of Texas System Administration (UT System) has estimated they would have to hire an additional 50 faculty at an annual cost of more than $3.4 million. 

 
The Texas State University System estimates the cost to their institutions would be $1,250,000 per year.  The system did not indicate a need for additional staff.

One institution, Sam Houston State University, already satisfies the proposed requirement and would have no additional cost.

The University of Houston System estimates salary and benefit costs for 11 additional faculty at $376,046 per year in General Revenue and $690,000 per year in General Revenue-Dedicated.

Texas Tech University System and the University of North Texas System already have a multicultural requirement in place.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

720 The University of Texas System Administration, 733 Texas Tech University, 758 Board of Regents, Texas State University System Central Office, 769 University of North Texas System Administration, 781 Higher Education Coordinating Board, 783 University of Houston System Administration, 731 Texas Woman's University, 739 Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 763 University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth

LBB Staff:

JK, MG, JO, CT, PF, GS