Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB582 by Kolkhorst (Relating to education and training programs for food handlers; eliminating the authority of a local health jurisdiction to require certain fees.), As Introduced
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code to permit required education and training programs for certain food handlers to include programs accredited by the American National Standards. The bill would prohibit a local health jurisdiction from charging a fee for a certificate issued to a worker trained by an accredited course.
Local Government Impact
A local health entity would be prohibited from charging a fee for the issuance of a certificate to a food service worker. The loss in fees would impact the revenue of the entity; the revenue loss of the entity would vary depending on the fee amount for each certificate, the number of applicants for the certificate and the size of the local health jurisdiction. The bill could impact the amount of enrollees in a local entity's training course(s), causing a loss in revenue to the entity. Based on both of the factors noted above, the bill could have significant fiscal impact on local governmental entities.
The Texas Association of City and County Health Officials (TACCHO) provided information based on a survey of local health departments who reported the bill would have significant fiscal impact on several local entities.
Corpus Christi Nueces County Public Health District reported an estimated loss of $177,576 associated with food handler card fees in fiscal year (FY) 2016.
Houston Department of Health and Human Services reported an estimated loss of $250,000 as a result of the provisions of the bill.
City of Laredo Health Department reported a potential loss of $109,495 from food safety classes in FY 2016.
Bell County Public Health District reported a potential loss of $180,000 from food handler classes in FY 2016.