LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 13, 2011

TO:	Honorable Lois W. Kolkhorst, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:	John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB1265 by Uresti (Relating to the accreditation of paramedic training programs.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Chapter 773, Health and Safety Code, relating to emergency medical services and the accreditation of paramedic training programs, to require that the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) post information on accreditation of paramedic training programs to the agency website. The bill would require the advisory council authorized by the chapter to coordinate with DSHS and the Texas Department of Rural Affairs to conduct a study of the effect of a national accreditation requirement on certain paramedic training programs and on the availability of paramedics in certain areas of the state. The advisory council would be required to report the findings to the legislature no later than September 1, 2012. The bill would be effective immediately with a two-thirds vote of all members of each house, or on September 1, 2011.

DSHS indicates that, due to the scope of the study, there would be a cost associated with contracting with an external organization to complete the study. It is assumed that this cost could be absorbed utilizing existing resources.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

357 Texas Department of Rural Affairs, 537 State Health Services, Department of

LBB Staff:

JOB, CL, MB, VJC, NB, CH