LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 25, 2003

TO:
Honorable Jaime Capelo, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
 
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB2985 by Capelo (Relating to the establishment of an office of patient protection within the Health Professions Council.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2985, As Introduced: a positive impact of $418,218 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 $162,937
2005 $255,281
2006 $255,281
2007 $255,281
2008 $255,281




Fiscal Year Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1
Probable Savings/(Cost) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2003
2004 $518,831 ($355,894) 4.0
2005 $518,831 ($263,550) 4.0
2006 $518,831 ($263,550) 4.0
2007 $518,831 ($263,550) 4.0
2008 $518,831 ($263,550) 4.0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would require the Health Professions Council (HPC)  to establish an Office of Patient Protection (OPP).  The OPP would be required to provide public information about the complaint process at each member licensing agency, conduct a public awareness campaign to increase awareness of the telephone complaint system, provide information to the public regarding the complaint procedures and sanctions processes used by HPC member agencies through the internet and other media 

The OPP would be required to provide assistance to the public in appealing a decision by member agencies.

The OPP would also be required to review and evaluate rules adopted by the licensing agencies and changes made to the statutes that govern the operation of the agencies and the professions regulated by the agencies, and recommend changes to the statutes of HPC member agencies during Sunset Advisory Commission review of those agencies.

Funding for the OPP would come from a $1 fee to new and renewal licenses issued by HPC member agencies.


Methodology

The Health Professions Council (HPC) indicates that it would require four FTEs to establish the Office of Patient Protection (OPP). The agency would require one Program Administrator IV FTE ($52,985 in annual salary and benefits) to administer the program, supervise staff, direct the public awareness campaign, and act as a liason between the agency, the public, and member agencies. The agency would require one Administrative Technician III FTE ($35,918 in annual salary and benefits) to assist the Program Administrator and the telephone complaint system. The agency would require one Attorney II FTE ($49,814 in annual salary and benefits) to evaluate rules adopted and statute changes related to the HPC member agencies. The agency would require one Accountant II FTE ($34,809 in annual salary and benefits) for preparation of the OPP budget and payroll, and for purchasing.

The agency assumes it would require $100,000 in fiscal year 2004 and $50,000 each year thereafter to impliment a public awareness campaign and $30,000 per year would be needed to maintain an upgraded system to handle the increased demands on the telephone complaint system.

The agency assumes it would require $31,768 in fiscal year 2004 and $5,424 each year thereafter for telephones, equipment, and other operating expenses for the additional employees. The agency would also require $20,600 in fiscal year 2004 and $4,600 each year thereafter for equipment, software, and other expenses related to maintaining a website for the dissemination of information to the public. It is assumed the agency's current staff could develop and administer the website.

The $1 fee to new and renewal licenses issued by HPC member agencies would raise $518,831 in General Revenue.


Technology

The Health Professions Council would require $8,000 in fiscal year 2004 for computers and related equipment for additional staff, and would require $20,600 in fiscal year 2004 and $4,600 each year thereafter for a server, software, support, hosting and internet access for the informational website.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
364 Health Professions Council
LBB Staff:
JK, JO, EB, RB