Honorable Myra Crownover, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2978 by Bonnen, Greg (Relating to the licensing and regulation of neurodiagnostic technologists; requiring an occupational license; creating an offense; providing penalties and authorizing fees.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2978, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.
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
2016
$0
2017
$0
2018
$0
2019
$0
2020
$0
Fiscal Year
Probable (Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Probable Revenue Gain from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2015
2016
($105,300)
$105,300
1.0
2017
($52,680)
$52,680
1.0
2018
($52,680)
$52,680
1.0
2019
($52,680)
$52,680
1.0
2020
($52,680)
$52,680
1.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Occupations code relating to the licensing and regulation of neurodiagnostic technologists; requiring an occupational license; creating an offense; providing penalties and authorizing fees.
The bill would require the Texas Medical Board (TMB) to create and administer an occupational licensing program regulating neurodiagnostic technologists. The bill requires TMB to adopt rules necessary to administer the program. The bill provides for TMB to establish reasonable and necessary fees in amounts sufficient to cover the costs of administering and enforcing the program rules.
This bill would take effect September 1, 2015, except for the requirement of licensure to act or offer to act as a neurodiagnostic technologist, which would take effect September 1, 2016
Methodology
According to information provided by the Comptroller of Public Accounts there are two national organizations which include approximately 500 neurodiagnostic technologists in Texas. Based on information provided by the TMB, the agency anticipates a cost of $42,930 in General Revenue for one-time computer programming for updates to the agency licensing database (477 hours of programming at $90 per hour for fiscal year 2016 only). TMB estimates the need for the authority and funding for one full-time equivalent (FTE) License & Permit Specialist III (1.0 FTE at $36,667 each fiscal year). Net benefits costs for the FTE would be $12,463 each fiscal year. One-time startup costs associated with the FTE including the purchase of information technology are estimated to be $9,690 in fiscal year 2016. In addition, TMB estimates $3,590 each fiscal year in travel reimbursement for Board members to attend informal disciplinary hearings ($359 for 2 members for 5 hearings per year).
This analysis assumes that any increased costs to the agency, which is statutorily required to generate sufficient revenue to cover its costs of operation, would be offset by an increase in fee generated revenue.
Technology
TMB estimates a cost of $42,930 in General Revenue for one-time computer programming for updates to the agency licensing database (477 hours of programming at $90 per hour for fiscal year 2016 only).
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
503 Texas Medical Board, 116 Sunset Advisory Commission, 301 Office of the Governor, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 360 State Office of Administrative Hearings