LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 26, 2007

TO:	Honorable Troy Fraser, Chair, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB1340 by Estes (Relating to the requirements for a surveyor-in-training certificate.), As Introduced

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1340, 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.

General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2008	$0
2009	$0
2010	$0
2011	$0
2012	$0

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable (Cost) from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1	Probable Revenue Gain from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1
2008	($7,500)	$7,500
2009	$0	$0
2010	$0	$0
2011	$0	$0
2012	$0	$0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend the Occupations Code relating to the requirements for a surveyor-in-training certificate.  The bill would extend the period of time that a surveyor-in-training certificate is valid to the date a certificate holder becomes registered as a professional land surveyor.  In addition, the bill would also require the Board of Professional Land Surveying (Board) to require a certificate holder to complete continuing professional education courses as prescribed by board rule.    

The bill would take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote in each house.  If the bill does not receive a two-thirds vote in each house, the bill would take effect September 1, 2007.

Methodology

According to the analysis provided by the Board, the agency's computer program would have to be modified to capture continuing education credit and the completion dates of such credit.  Northrop Grumman provides the Board’s registrant program and they have estimated that the cost of tracking continuing education for surveyor-in-training will have an initial cost of $7,400.  The Board estimates that notification of this requirement will cost approximately $100.  The Board estimates the total cost to the agency will be $7,500 for fiscal year 2008.  

Based on the analysis of the Board of Professional Land Surveying, it is assumed that the Board would adjust license fees to cover any additional costs associated with the implementation of this bill.

Technology

The Board estimates a one-time programming cost of $7,400 for changes to the agency's computer program.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

464 Board of Professional Land Surveying

LBB Staff:

JOB, JRO, MW, NV