LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 21, 2007

TO:
Honorable Patrick M. Rose, Chair, House Committee on Human Services
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB854 by Naishtat (Relating to the eligibility of and requirements applicable to certain persons for food stamps.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB854, As Introduced: an impact of $0 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 $0
2010 $0
2011 $0
2012 $0




Fiscal Year Probable (Cost) from
FEDERAL FUNDS
555
2008 ($2,052,336)
2009 ($2,052,336)
2010 ($2,052,336)
2011 ($2,052,336)
2012 ($2,052,336)

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend Chapter 33 of the Human Resources Code by adding a section that would allow individuals with felony drug convictions to be eligible for food stamp benefits, provided they completed or are currently involved in community supervision or a drug treatment program.

The bill would also add a section that would authorize the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to make certain exemptions from work requirements under the food stamp program for these individuals. The bill would only apply to a food stamp eligibility determination made on or after the effective date of the bill, which is September 1, 2007.


Methodology

The estimated total cost of the bill would be $2,052,336 in Federal Funds for 2008 and each year thereafter. Calculations by the Texas Workforce Commission assume 338 additional Able Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) individuals would receive food stamp benefits each month. It is also assumed that all of the additional ABAWD individuals would receive Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSE&T) services each month at an average cost of $506 per individual.

HHSC indicates that administrative activities needed to implement the bill could be absorbed within existing resources.


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
320 Texas Workforce Commission, 529 Health and Human Services Commission
LBB Staff:
JOB, CL, PP, VJC