Honorable David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor, Senate
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB415 by Shapleigh (Relating to continuation and functions of the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners; providing an administrative penalty.), As Passed 2nd House
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would continue the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners, which is administratively attached to the Department of State Health Services, and the regulation of social workers through 2017. The bill would require applicants to pass a jurisprudence exam, remove exemptions for non-Texas residents to practice without a temporary license, increase the maximum administrative penalty from $500 to $5,000, and adds a penalty structure for delinquent renewals based on the renewal fee. The bill provides that the Board may not institute the revised late fee if the new fee would not cover the Board's costs. The Sunset Commission estimates the increase in the maximum administrative penalty would potentially increase revenue, but the gain is difficult to estimate due to variance in the number and severity of violations each year.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
116 Sunset Advisory Commission, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts