LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 6, 2007

TO:
Honorable Dianne White Delisi, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB161 by Gonzales (Relating to providing language interpreter services to certain health care providers.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB161, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($289,973) through the biennium ending August 31, 2009.

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
2008 $0
2009 ($289,973)
2010 ($284,288)
2011 ($284,288)
2012 ($284,288)




Fiscal Year Probable (Cost) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1 		Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2007
2008 $0 0.0
2009 ($289,973) 5.0
2010 ($284,288) 5.0
2011 ($284,288) 5.0
2012 ($284,288) 5.0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would require the Department of State Health Services to provide oral language interpreter services for certain health care providers via a toll-free telephone number. Interpreter services would be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The bill would require the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to adopt rules to implement the provisions of the bill. HHSC indicates rules could be developed and adopted within the agency's existing budget.

The effective date of the bill is September 1, 2008.


Methodology

The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) indicates 5 full-time-equivalent positions would be needed to provide interpreter services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is assumed salaries and associated operating costs would total $283,233 in General Revenue in fiscal year 2008 and $277,548 in General Revenue in each subsequent fiscal year.

Technology

DSHS estimates information technology costs of $6,740 per fiscal year for computer hardware and software.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
529 Health and Human Services Commission, 537 State Health Services, Department of
LBB Staff:
JOB, CL, PP, SSt