LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 14, 2009

TO:
Honorable Tommy Merritt, Chair, House Committee on Public Safety
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB4143 by Gallego (Relating to the establishment by the Texas Forensic Science Commission of a DNA laboratory audit program.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB4143, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($696,490) through the biennium ending August 31, 2011.



Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2010 ($345,936)
2011 ($350,554)
2012 ($355,311)
2013 ($360,210)
2014 ($365,256)




Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from
General Revenue Fund
1
2010 ($345,936)
2011 ($350,554)
2012 ($355,311)
2013 ($360,210)
2014 ($365,256)



Fiscal Year Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2009
2010 2.0
2011 2.0
2012 2.0
2013 2.0
2014 2.0

Fiscal Analysis

Under provisions of the bill, the Texas Forensic Science Commission will establish a DNA laboratory audit program. The program must include an on-site review by experienced forensic DNA analysts of work recently performed by the DNA laboratory being audited, including an examination of any DNA record created by the laboratory and whether the laboratory followed all applicable quality control steps in creating the record; and in circumstances determined by the commission by rule, an off-site retrospective reexamination of one or more DNA samples analyzed by the laboratory. The Texas Forensic Science Commission is housed at Sam Houston State University.

Methodology

The Texas State University System has indicated that two FTEs, a DNA examiner, and an administrative assistant II, would need to be hired to implement provisions of the bill at a total cost for salaries and benefits of $153,936 in fiscal year 2010 increasing to $173,256 by fiscal year 2014 taking into account salaries increases over that time period .

The System also indicated that there are about 22 accredited DNA labs in Texas and travel costs associated with the visiting the labs would cost approximately $12,000 per year. Costs for retesting of samples and professional services tied to DNA samples being tested by independent labs on a contractual basis would cost $180,000 per year.


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
405 Department of Public Safety, 758 Texas State University System
LBB Staff:
JOB, ESi, RT, GO, MWU