LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 24, 2009

TO:
Honorable John Carona, Chair, Senate Committee on Transportation & Homeland Security
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB1741 by Carona (Relating to emergency management.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1741, 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.



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)




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

The bill would amend the Government Code pertaining to emergency management and Chapter 771 of the Health and Safety Code pertaining to state administration of emergency communications.

 

The bill would require the Texas Engineering Extension Service to develop continuing education credits for employees or volunteers who are elected or appointed to positions relating to emergency management.

 

The bill would require the Governor’s Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) in coordination with the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to include provisions for assisting local shelter operations and minimum standards for shelter operations in the state emergency management plan.

The bill would require GDEM to develop regional planning for health care surge capacity with the assistance of DSHS.

 

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

 

The bill would take effect September 1, 2009.


Methodology

It is assumed that the costs associated with the bill could be absorbed within existing resources for all agencies except CSEC.

 

The anticipated cost for CSEC to implement the provisions requiring 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 the Training Specialist 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 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, 529 Health and Human Services Commission, 537 State Health Services, Department of, 716 Texas Engineering Extension Service
LBB Staff:
JOB, KJG, MS, BTA, LG, TP, SK, KK, LCO