LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 20, 2003

TO:
Honorable Kent Grusendorf, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
 
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB265 by Lucio (Relating to continuation and functions of the State Board for Educator Certification. ), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB265, Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted: a positive impact of $273,532 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 $136,766
2005 $136,766
2006 $136,766
2007 $136,766
2008 $136,766




Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1 		Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1 		Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2003
2004 $183,059 ($46,293) (3.0)
2005 $183,059 ($46,293) (3.0)
2006 $183,059 ($46,293) (3.0)
2007 $183,059 ($46,293) (3.0)
2008 $183,059 ($46,293) (3.0)

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would transfer all certification, testing oversight, and enforcement functions from the State Board for Educator Certification to the Texas Education Agency.  The only remaining function that would remain with the State Board for Educator Certification would be rule-making associated with disciplinary procedures, the Code of Ethics, and continuing education. The bill would also
modify the Board’s membership by removing six members, three of which are ex-officio members from other state agencies. This would result in a nine-member board consisting of four teachers, four administrators, and one public member.

The bill would also repeal mandatory certification of school superintendents, if the school district determines that the person has significant experience as a chief executive of a business or as an administrator of a large organization.

Methodology

Based on an analysis of  transferring certain functions from the State Board for Educator Certification to the Texas Education Agency, the Sunset Advisory Commission indicates that there would be annual General Revenue savings to the state of $139,000.  This savings is associated with a reduction of three full-time equivalent employees.  Adjusting this savings to reflect reduced employee benefit costs results in annual General Revenue savings of $178,559.  Adding in savings of $4,500 associated with reduced board travel costs results in total annual General Revenue savings of $183,059.

The Sunset Advisory Commission also indicates that the repeal of mandatory certification of certain school superintendents would reduce annual certification and examination fee revenue by $46,293, shown in the fiscal impact table as a loss to General Revenue. 


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
701 Central Education Agency, 705 State Board for Educator Certification, 116 Sunset Advisory Commission, 405 Department of Public Safety
LBB Staff:
JK, CT, JO, GO, UP, RN