Honorable John T. Smithee, Chair, House Committee on Insurance
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1479 by Morrison (Relating to the coverage by health benefit plans of expenses or procedures that violate certain religious convictions.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Insurance Code relating to the coverage by health benefit plans of expenses or procedures that violate certain religious convictions. Based on the analysis provided by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), it is assumed that any costs associated with the implementation of this bill would be absorbed within existing agency resources. Also based on information provided by TDI, this analysis assumes that implementation of the bill could result in a one-time revenue gain ($28,500 in fiscal year 2012) in General Revenue-Dedicated Texas Department of Insurance Fund 36 from filing fees. Since General Revenue-Dedicated Texas Department of Insurance Fund 36 is a self-leveling account, this analysis also assumes that any additional revenue resulting from the implementation of the bill would accumulate in the account fund balances and that the department would adjust the assessment of the maintenance tax or other fees accordingly in the following year.
Based on the analysis provided by the Employees Retirement System and the Teacher Retirement System, it is assumed that any costs associated with the implementation of this bill would be absorbed within existing agency resources. Based on the analysis provided by the Texas A&M University System and the University of Texas System, implementation of this bill will have no fiscal impact on these agencies.
In fiscal years 2014 through 2016, these costs may differ depending on the essential health benefits approved by Health and Human Services per Section 1311 (d) (3) (B) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
323 Teacher Retirement System, 327 Employees Retirement System, 454 Department of Insurance, 710 Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices, 720 The University of Texas System Administration