Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Finance
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1013 by Bettencourt (Relating to periodic zero-based budgeting for certain political subdivisions.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Education Code and the Local Government Code to require certain school districts, municipalities, and counties to prepare a zero-based budget every 12th year. The political subdivisions would be required to post the information on a website if applicable and the budget would be require to be available for public inspection. At a public hearing held to adopt a budget for the political subdivision, the zero-based budget would be required to consider information present in the zero based budget in addition to the proposed budget.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) would be required to collect zero-based budgets from school districts that were required to prepare these budgets. TEA anticipates that any additional work resulting from the passage of the bill could be reasonably absorbed within current resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
School districts with more than 50,000 students would be required to adopt zero-based budgeting strategies on a 12-year cycle. School districts may experience some additional administrative costs in preparing the documents required.
Montgomery County reported the fiscal impact to the county is insignificant; however the collection of data would result in a considerable effort.