LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 22, 2011

TO:
Honorable Rob Eissler, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
 
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB2365 by Eissler (Relating to certain responsibilities of education research centers and to a joint advisory board for education research centers.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2365, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($270,030) through the biennium ending August 31, 2013.

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
2012 ($135,015)
2013 ($135,015)
2014 ($135,015)
2015 ($135,015)
2016 ($135,015)




Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from
General Revenue Fund
1 		Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from
General Revenue Fund
1 		Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2011
2012 ($217,133) $82,118 2.5
2013 ($217,133) $82,118 2.5
2014 ($217,133) $82,118 2.5
2015 ($217,133) $82,118 2.5
2016 ($217,133) $82,118 2.5

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would require Education Research Centers (ERCs) established in the Texas Education Code to support the attainment of doctoral degrees at Institutes of Higher Education in Texas.

The bill would allow the pursuit of data reciprocity agreements among ERCs, other state agencies, and state education agencies of other states.

The bill would require establishment of a Joint Advisory Committee co-chaired by the Commissioner of Education and the Commissioner of Higher Education or their designees to adopt policies governing the operation of the ERCs and to review and approve ERC research proposals involving confidential information.

The bill would allow for the establishment of a schedule of fees to fund the cost of data processing required by the Texas Education Agency in support of ERC research.


Methodology

It is estimated that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) would need 1.0 additional full-time equivalent (FTE) position to support increased data processing and data confidentiality requirements related to the support of doctoral candidates, at an annual salary, benefit and equipment cost of approximately $103,000.  It is assumed that fees would be established pursuant to the provisions of the bill to offset the cost of data processing at the agency.

It is assumed that 0.5 FTEs would be required at TEA to support the activities of the Joint Advisory Board established by the bill and the coordination of activities among the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and the ERCs, at an annual cost of approximately $38,000.

Additionally, it is estimated that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) would need one additional research specialist to support the data reciprocity agreements authorized by the bill, provide support of attainment of doctoral degrees, and provide necessary support of the Joint Advisory Board, at an annual cost of approximately $76,000. 


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
701 Central Education Agency, 781 Higher Education Coordinating Board
LBB Staff:
JOB, LXH, JGM, JSc