Honorable Carol Alvarado, Chair, House Committee on Urban Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB60 by Martinez, "Mando" (Relating to firefighters and emergency medical technicians who bring certain claims for benefits or compensation.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Government Code to establish a timeframe that a firefighter or an emergency technicians may seek benefits or compensation for certain diseases or illnesses.
Local Government Impact
The impact of the bill would vary widely by each entity depending on the number of cases eligible for benefits under the provisions of the bill, the entity's disability and death benefits policy, and the individual's medical condition.
The City of Houston reported the city has over 3,800 classified fire personnel. Although the fiscal impact cannot be determined, it could be significant.
The City of Waco reported the bill could have a significant fiscal impact on the city, including more diligence in investigating claims to ensure a condition is not due to any personal life or hereditary factor and assuring annual physicals or fit for duty fiscals are completed timely to ensure the City is aware of any potential medical problems that an individual may have that could affect a future claim. The City reported that costs vary significantly by the extensiveness of an individual's condition, each scenario and the number of individuals suffering from conditions. The City also noted that the growth of a department presents more risk of having an individual suffer from the conditions under the provisions of the bill.
Source Agencies:
326 Texas Emergency Services Retirement System, 411 Commission on Fire Protection