LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 22, 2013

TO:
Honorable David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor, Senate
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB414 by Ellis (Relating to a study and report regarding authorizing certain public junior colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs to address regional workforce needs.), As Passed 2nd House



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB414, As Passed 2nd House: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2015.

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
2014 $0
2015 $0
2016 $0
2017 $0
2018 $0




Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from
Other Funds		 Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2013
2014 ($150,000) 2.0
2015 $0 0.0
2016 $0 0.0
2017 $0 0.0
2018 $0 0.0

Fiscal Analysis

The provisions of the bill require the Higher Education Coordinating Board (Board) to conduct a study of regional workforce needs in Texas to determine the regions of the state that would benefit from authorization of baccalaureate degree programs in the field of nursing and in the field of applied life sciences at public community colleges. It would also require the Board to establish appropriate metrics for determining whether a public community college should offer those degree programs. The bill also requires the use of existing funds to conduct the study.

The Board shall submit by August 1, 2014, to each legislative standing committee with primary jurisdiction over higher education the results of its study and recommendation for legislative or other action.

The bill takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.


Methodology

Based on information provided by the Higher Education Coordinating Board (Board), two Full-time Equivalent (FTEs) would be needed to implement provisions of the bill.  One FTE would directly work under the Workforce, Academic Affairs and Research Division and one FTE would be under the Planning and Accountability Division. The staff members would complete the 26 regional workforce analyses and simultaneously work with stakeholder committee to develop and test metrics. In addition, the staff would complete the institution and program specific analyses which could be anywhere between 30-80 analyses.
 
It is estimated that the costs would total $150,000 if conducted by the Board internally or estimated to be an equal amount if the Board enters into a contract externally to conduct the study. Based on information provided by the Board, it is anticipated that the Board would use Higher Education Policy Institute Other Funds to conduct the study.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
781 Higher Education Coordinating Board
LBB Staff:
UP, DE, KK, SK