LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 23, 2007

TO:	Honorable David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor, Senate
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB8 by Janek (Relating to random testing of certain public school students for steroid use. ), As Passed 2nd House

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require the University Interscholastic League (UIL) to establish and administer a random steroid testing program involving a statistically significant number of high school students.  The bill would require the UIL to pay the costs associated with the steriod testing program and would authorize the imposition of a spectator admission fee at athletic competitions to provide revenue for this purpose. 

 

The UIL estimates that a testing program involving 3% of student participants would cost a minimum of $4.5 million annually. The estimate does not include the cost of collecting and monitoring samples.  Costs for follow-up testing in the event that a positive result is appealed are not included in the estimate.

 

The bill would also require the UIL to conduct a study of the procedures used for specimen collection and whether the persons performing specimen collection services are trained and certified.  One-time costs associated with the study would be estimated at approximately $50,000.

 

The bill would direct the UIL to periodically evaluate the list of substances banned by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and as deemed appropriate include any banned substances in the steriod testing program.

Local Government Impact

The bill would require school districts to test students selected by the UIL.  Assuming that UIL would pay the laboratory fee associated with the test, school districts would experience costs associated with collecting, monitoring, and submitting samples for students randomly selected by the UIL.  If these local administrative costs are also to be paid through the fees authorized to offset the costs of the program, there would be no net fiscal implications for school districts.

Source Agencies:

UIL University Interscholastic League, 701 Central Education Agency

LBB Staff:

JOB, JSp, UP