LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 16, 2007

TO:
Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB703 by Deuell (Relating to the regulation of dyslexia practitioners and therapists; imposing penalties.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB703, 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 Savings/(Cost) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1 		Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1 		Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2007
2008 ($490,210) $490,210 7.0
2009 ($413,834) $413,834 7.0
2010 ($414,238) $414,238 7.0
2011 ($414,473) $414,473 7.0
2012 ($414,387) $414,387 7.0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend the Occupations Code to provide the Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) the authority to license and regulate basic dyslexia practitioners and advanced dyslexia therapists.

With respect to the professions of basic dyslexia practitioners and advanced dyslexia therapists, the bill would authorize TDLR to form an advisory committee; would establish eligibility for the Basic Dyslexia Practitioner License and the Advanced Dyslexia Therapist License; would provide requirements for training programs; would require examinations and authorize the collection of fees; would authorize TDLR to issue provisional and temporary licenses; would require TDLR to determine continuing education requirements; and would require TDLR to develop a system for monitoring a license holder.

The provisions of the bill relating to license denial, complaint and disciplinary procedures, and penalties and other enforcement procedures would take effect February 1, 2008; the remaining provisions of the bill would take effect September 1, 2007.


Methodology

Based on information provided by TDLR, this analysis assumes a licensing population of 2,800 basic dyslexia practitioners, 2,800 advanced dyslexia therapists, and 12 continuing education providers.

It is estimated that TDLR would have a cost associated with the licensing and regulation of the basic dyslexia practitioners and advanced dyslexia therapists.  Based on the analysis of TDLR, it is assumed that licensing these practitioners and therapists would require additional resources at a cost of $904,044 through 2009. 
 
TDLR also estimates a cost for staff of $278,292 for 7.0 FTEs in each fiscal year from 2008 through fiscal year 2012.  Other operating expenses, travel, and equipment are estimated at $133,189 in fiscal year 2008, $56,813 in fiscal year 2009, $57,217 in fiscal year 2010, $57,452 in fiscal year 2011, and $57,366 in fiscal year 2012.  Estimated cost also include $78,729 in each fiscal year from 2008 through fiscal year 2012 for associated benefits.
 
This analysis assumes that any increased cost resulting from the bill would be offset by an increase in fee generated revenue.


Technology

There would be a technology cost to TDLR of $18,964 in fiscal year 2008, $1,389 in fiscal year 2009, $1,793 in fiscal year 2010, $2,028 in fiscal year 2011, and $1,942 in fiscal year 2012.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
360 State Office of Administrative Hearings, 452 Department of Licensing and Regulation
LBB Staff:
JOB, CL, MW, AH