LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 3, 2007

TO:
Honorable Dianne White Delisi, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB552 by Deuell (Relating to the accreditation of basic food safety education and training programs for food handlers.), As Engrossed



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB552, As Engrossed: a positive impact of $12,000 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 $9,000
2009 $3,000
2010 $12,000
2011 $6,000
2012 $15,000




Fiscal Year Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1
2008 $9,000
2009 $3,000
2010 $12,000
2011 $6,000
2012 $15,000

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code to require the Department of State Health Services to accredit an education or training program for basic food safety for food handlers.  The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission would be required to adopt rules to define the basic food safety training or education required to be included in a course curriculum.  The bill would prohibit the course from being longer than two hours and would allow a program to require a participant to achieve a passing score on an examination.  A program accredited under the provisions of the bill may be delivered through the internet.

 

The bill would take effect September 1, 2007.


Methodology

It is assumed that the agency has existing and sufficient statutory authority under Chapter 438 of the Health and Safety Code to charge and collect a fee related to the acreditation required under this bill.

 

Under the provisions of the bill, the Department of State Health Services would be required to accredit a food handler training or education program, the rules for which would be adopted by the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commissioner.

 

According to the Department of State Health Services, there are approximately 60 entities known to provide food handler training courses.  The department is assuming that 15 programs would seek accreditation in fiscal year 2008 and 5 programs would seek accreditation each fiscal year after that.  The department is also assuming that the fee for a two-year license would be $600.  The revenue from initial certifications would be $9,000 ($600 X 15 programs) in fiscal year 2008 and $3,000 ($600 X 5 programs) per fiscal year after that.  The department estimates that the revenue generated from renewals would be $9,000 ($600 X 15 programs) in fiscal year 2010, $3,000 ($600 X 5 programs) in fiscal year 2011, and $12,000 (($600 X 5 programs) + ($600 X 15 programs)) in fiscal year 2012.  Thus, the Department of State Health Services estimates that the total revenue generated under the provisions of the bill would be: $9,000 in fiscal year 2008, $3,000 in fiscal year 2009, $12,000 in fiscal year 2010, $6,000 in fiscal year 2011, and $15,000 in fiscal year 2012.

 

The agency also anticipates costs associated with its current Food Service Training program database resulting from the passage of the bill.  However, it is assumed that the agency could absorb these costs within current resources.


Technology

The agency estimates there would be costs associated with modifications to its current Food Service Training program database resulting from the passage of the bill.  However, it is assumed that the agency could absorb these costs within existing resources.  

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 537 State Health Services, Department of
LBB Staff:
JOB, CL, PP, SJ