LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 11, 2005

TO:	Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB155 by Shapiro (Relating to the quality assurance accreditation process for certain entities that offer health benefit plans.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill relates to the quality assurance accreditation process for certain entities that offer health benefit plans.  The bill would amend Subtitle C, Title 6, Insurance Code by inserting Chapter 847, Health Care Quality Assurance, to allow appropriate recognition of accreditation by nationally recognized accreditation organizations of health benefit plans and to foster coordination among state agencies. 

This Act takes effect June 1, 2005, if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members.  Otherwise, the Act takes effect September 1, 2005.

According to the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), current HHSC staff would perform the duties of completing the memorandum of understanding and handling any documents submitted by the commissioner.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

529 Health and Human Services Commission

LBB Staff:

JOB, SR, KF, KJG, MB