| TO: | Honorable Bill Callegari, Chair, House Committee on Government Reform |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB72 by Lucio (Relating to the establishment of the Worksite Wellness Advisory Board and the implementation of worksite wellness policies at state agencies.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted |
| Fiscal Year | Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds |
|---|---|
| 2008 | ($282,026) |
| 2009 | ($283,841) |
| 2010 | ($283,841) |
| 2011 | ($283,841) |
| 2012 | ($283,841) |
| Fiscal Year | Probable (Cost) from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1 |
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2007 |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | ($282,026) | 3.0 |
| 2009 | ($283,841) | 3.0 |
| 2010 | ($283,841) | 3.0 |
| 2011 | ($283,841) | 3.0 |
| 2012 | ($283,841) | 3.0 |
The bill amends the Government Code Chapter 664 to create a Worksite Wellness Advisory Board as a function of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). The board would be composed of representatives from areas of government and health organizations. The bill would reimburse non-state employee members for travel expenses, and DSHS employees would provide support to the board.
The bill would require the board to create a plan to improve the health and wellness of state employees and establish best practices that state agencies may use to promote wellness among state employees. The board would support state agencies in implementing worksite wellness policies for state employees.
The bill would require each state agency to have a wellness policy that allows each state employee 30 minutes to exercise 3 times per week and allows employees to attend on-site wellness seminars. The bill would require each state agency to provide 8 hours of leave time to employees who complete a health risk survey and receive a physical exam. The bill would exclude institutions of higher education and correctional facilities operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice from its provisions.
The bill would take effect on September 1, 2007.
DSHS estimates it would need 3 additional FTEs to assist the board in its duties. Duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the duties of the Worksite Wellness Advisory Board would cost $276,581 in General Revenue in each year of the biennium. The cost of reimbursing the board for travel is estimated to be $12,705 for the biennium.
It is assumed that time for employees to exercise and attend on-site wellness seminars would be unpaid time off. The bill would require each state agency to provide 8 hours of leave time to employees who complete a health risk survey and receive a physical exam. It is assumed that 50 percent of employees would qualify for the additional 8 hours of leave time. Agencies that are required to maintain a specified level of staffing may require additional FTEs or may incur additional overtime costs to provide paid or unpaid leave to employees for wellness program participation.
| Source Agencies: |
| LBB Staff: | JOB, MN, JI, DH
|