LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 17, 2009

TO:	Honorable Frank Corte, Jr., Chair, House Committee on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1831 by Corte (Relating to emergency management.), As Introduced

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1831, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($195,723) through the biennium ending August 31, 2011.

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
2010	($108,109)
2011	($87,614)
2012	($87,614)
2013	($87,614)
2014	($87,614)

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1	Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2009
2010	($108,109)	1.0
2011	($87,614)	1.0
2012	($87,614)	1.0
2013	($87,614)	1.0
2014	($87,614)	1.0

Fiscal Analysis

HB 1831 as introduced would amend Chapter 418 of the Government Code pertaining to emergency management and Chapter 771 of the Health and Safety Code pertaining to state administration of emergency communications.  The following provisions of the bill would have fiscal impacts:

 

The bill would require the emergency management council to assist the Governor’s Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) in identifying, mobilizing, and deploying state resources to respond to major emergencies and disasters.

 

The bill would allow the GDEM to organize and temporarily activate disaster reservists to support recovery operations in the aftermath of a disaster or major emergency and pay them at a daily rate commensurate with their qualifications and experience.

 

The bill would require the Commission on State Emergency Communications (CSEC) to provide education to local officials on the operation of the Emergency Alert System.

 

The bill would also abolish the Disaster Emergency Funding Board on September 1, 2009 by repealing Government Code, Section 418.072.

 

The bill would take effect on September 1, 2009.

Methodology

Based on the analysis of the Department of Public Safety, no significant fiscal impact is anticipated.  The Department anticipates that the costs associated with the bill’s provisions could be absorbed within existing resources.

 

The anticipated cost for the CSEC to implement the provisions of Section 11 of the bill, requiring the CSEC to provide education for local officials on the operation of the Emergency Alert System, includes one additional FTE – a Training Specialist V.  The Specialist would conduct training workshops at two of the quarterly meetings held at each of the twenty-four regional planning councils. 

 

Included in costs are expenses related to travel.  Calculations apply current maximum travel reimbursement rates for lodging, meals and mileage and include costs for airfare and vehicle rental in instances where necessary.

 

General Revenue would fund this position and related expenses.  Currently, the agency does not receive appropriations from General Revenue.  The majority of the agency’s budget is funded through two General Revenue Dedicated accounts, Account 5007 (Equalization Surcharge) and Account 5050 (9-1-1 Service Fees).  However, neither account under current statute may be used by the CSEC for expenses unrelated to the provision of 9-1-1 telecommunication services or poison centers.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

301 Office of the Governor, 405 Department of Public Safety, 477 Commission on State Emergency Communications

LBB Staff:

JOB, KK, MS, LCO, BTA