LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 15, 2005

TO:
Honorable Dianne White Delisi, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB1432 by Laubenberg (Relating to the regulation of dental assistants who make dental x-rays.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1432, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($1,250,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2007.

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
2006 ($625,000)
2007 ($625,000)
2008 ($625,000)
2009 ($625,000)
2010 ($625,000)




Fiscal Year Probable (Cost) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1
Probable Revenue Gain from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1
Probable Revenue (Loss) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1
2006 ($20,000) $20,000 ($625,000)
2007 ($21,400) $21,400 ($625,000)
2008 ($21,400) $21,400 ($625,000)
2009 ($21,400) $21,400 ($625,000)
2010 ($21,400) $21,400 ($625,000)

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend the Occupations Code by requiring the State Board of Dental Examiners (board) to create an advisory committee of dentists to advise the board on study guides or reference materials used in preparation for the development of an examination and procedures for making dental x-rays. The bill would require that the examination and study guides or reference materials be offered through the internet.

 

The bill requires the examination be available in English and Spanish and be designed so that at least 90 percent of dental assistants taking the exam may be expected to successfully complete the exam with a score of at least 80 percent.

 

The bill states that dental assistants would not be required to renew their permit annually. The bill also states that if a dental assistant has not practiced as a dental assistant for at least two years, the dental assistant must apply and receive a new permit in order to make dental x-rays.

 

The bill would take effect September 1, 2005.

Methodology

According to the board, creating an advisory committee would not have a significant fiscal impact on the agency.

 

Based on historical expenditures of another licensing agency with a licensee population of similar size, it is estimated that initial costs of approximately $20,000 in fiscal year 2006 would be realized from contracting with a vendor to host an examination website for the board that would meet the requirements of the bill. The cost to maintain the database and online software is estimated to be $1,400 each year. It is also assumed that the agency would increase licensing fees as necessary to cover additional costs.

 

The board estimates that the cost of translating one examination into Spanish would be $3,303 and that three examinations would be $9,909 in fiscal year 2006. It is assumed that the cost related to the examination translation could be absorbed within existing resources.

 

Beginning in fiscal year 2006, the board estimates that 25,000 dental assistants would be required by current law to renew their dental certificate.   Under the provisions of this bill, dental assistants would not have to renew their dental certificate, resulting in a loss to the General Revenue Fund of approximately $625,000 each year.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 504 Texas State Board of Dental Examiners
LBB Staff:
JOB, CL, RR