LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 2, 2005

TO:
Honorable Kent Grusendorf, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB3234 by Uresti (Relating to the provision of and notice concerning safety equipment required in the construction, repair, rehabilitation, or alteration of public school facilities. ), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require school districts to include in each contract for construction of a school facility a requirement that the contractor provide and install school crossing zone reduced-speed signs with flashing lights.  The bill would also require school districts to include in each contract for construction of a school facility or for repair, rehabilitation, or alteration of a school facility a requirement that the contractor provide and install any safety equipment required by law in effect at the time the contract is entered into.

The bill would require school districts to notify either the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) or local road authority after a schol district approves a plat for consturction of school facility.  The school district would be required to cooperate with TxDOT or the local road authority to determine the traffic needs associated with the proposed school facility and to approve all devices and safety equipment included in a contract for the construction of the facility.


Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.  According to the 2005 edition of the R. S. Means publication, Building Construction Cost Data, the average total cost of a school flashing system is $32,500 per unit.  For purposes of this fiscal note, it is assumed that each construction project will require two flashing units for a total cost of $65,000 per project.  In most instances this cost is currently being borne by other local governmental entities (cities, counties, TxDOT districts).  The bill would thus shift the cost from those entities to school districts.


Source Agencies:
701 Central Education Agency
LBB Staff:
JOB, CT, UP, KC