LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 11, 2003

TO:
Honorable Leticia Van de Putte, Chair, Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
 
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB655 by Shapleigh (Relating to members and veterans of the armed forces.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB655, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($206,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2005, if the effective date of the bill is June 1, 2003; or a negative impact of ($206,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2005, if the effective date of the bill is September 1, 2003.

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

The following table assumes an effective date of June 1, 2003.



Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2003 ($45,000)
2004 ($125,000)
2005 ($36,000)
2006 ($36,000)
2007 ($36,000)
2008 ($36,000)




Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2004 ($170,000)
2005 ($36,000)
2006 ($36,000)
2007 ($36,000)
2008 ($36,000)




Fiscal Year Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1
2003 ($45,000)
2004 ($125,000)
2005 ($36,000)
2006 ($36,000)
2007 ($36,000)
2008 ($36,000)

The following table assumes an effective date of September 1, 2003.



Fiscal Year Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1
2004 ($170,000)
2005 ($36,000)
2006 ($36,000)
2007 ($36,000)
2008 ($36,000)

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would require the Department of Information Resources to establish an internet site using TexasOnline allowing veterans to access information on state and federal veteran benefit programs, require the site to allow veterans to electronically file for selected state veteran benefits (including electronic signing of the filing by the veteran and electronic acknowledgement of the filing).  The bill would require the Texas Veterans Commission to include the internet website address of TexasOnline benefits information, a toll-free telephone number on all of its forms, creation of an electronic version of state veterans benefits booklet, and provide a hard copy of the state veterans booklet to each veterans county service officer and personnel office of each state or federal military installation in the state of Texas.


Methodology

If the bill becomes effective on June 1, 2003, $45,000 in professional services would be required in FY 2003,  $89,000 in professional services and $36,000 in annual application maintenance costs in FY 2004, and $36,000 in annual application maintenance costs in FY 2005-2008. If the bill becomes effective on September 1, 2003, $134,000 in professional services and $36,000 in annual application maintenance costs in FY 2004 and $36,000 in annual application maintenance costs in FY 2005-2008. 

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. County governments may incur minimal costs to copy and distribute the state veteran's benefits booklet.


Source Agencies:
313 Department Of Information Resources, 403 Veterans Commission
LBB Staff:
JK, WK, MS, BL, KG