LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 29, 2009

TO:	Honorable Frank Corte Jr., Chair, House Committee on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1710 by Turner, Sylvester (relating to requiring certain facilities located in certain areas prone to severe weather to have an emergency preparedness plan for provision of emergency electrical power.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require certain facilities located in areas prone to severe weather, as defined specifically by the bill, to adopt an emergency preparedness plan that must be approved by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).  The plan would demonstrate the facility's ability to provide emergency electrical power and to meet the basic needs of persons receiving services at the facility.  Facilities affected would include those licensed by a health and human services agency and that serve elderly persons, persons who are ill, and persons with special needs.

The bill would take effect immediately if it received a vote of two-thirds of all members of each house; if it does not, it would take effect on September 1, 2009.

HHSC indicates that costs associated with adoption of rules and minimum standards and review/approval of plans will be absorbed within existing resources.  However, it is possible that the adoption of these rules may have a fiscal impact on service providers.  To the extent that private providers' increasing costs have an effect on rates paid by the state, there could be a fiscal impact to the state.

Local Government Impact

To the extent that local governments are providers of services outlined in the bill, there could be a fiscal impact; however, there is currently not sufficient information to determine the impact.

Source Agencies:

529 Health and Human Services Commission

LBB Staff:

JOB, KK, MB