Honorable Donna Campbell, Chair, Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1580 by Garcia (Relating to studies on homeless veterans and youth.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1580, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($200,000) 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
($100,000)
2017
($100,000)
2018
$0
2019
$0
2020
$0
Fiscal Year
Probable (Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2016
($100,000)
2017
($100,000)
2018
$0
2019
$0
2020
$0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Government Code relating to studies on homeless veterans and youth.
The bill would require the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) in conjunction with the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), the Texas Veterans Commission, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Homeless Education Office (THEO) to conduct a study on homeless veterans. Furthermore, the bill would require TDHCA, in conjunction with DFPS, the Texas Education Agency (TEA), and THEO to conduct a study on homeless youth. The bill calls for each study to examine the needs of each population and the degree to which current programs are meeting those needs, as well as identifying any resources that might be directed to provide services to those populations. TDHCA is required to submit reports for each homeless population study to the Legislature not later than December 1, 2016, including a summary of information and recommendations for changes in law necessary to provide services to or otherwise assist the homeless veterans and homeless youth.
The bill would take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote in each house. Otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2015.
Methodology
According to analysis provided by TDHCA, the agency assumes that it would procure a third party to undertake the required studies. Redirecting resources from the Affordable Housing Research and Information Project, TDHCA would be able to undertake one study with existing resources while requiring additional General Revenue funds for the second study. Based upon costs from previous studies conducted by TDHCA, the agency estimates that, at minimum, each study would cost $200,000. Therefore, an additional General Revenue of $100,000 in 2016 and $100,000 in 2017 would be required to complete two studies on differing homeless populations.
According to information provided by DFPS and TEA, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill for these agencies could be accomplished utilizing existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
332 Department of Housing and Community Affairs, 530 Family and Protective Services, Department of, 701 Central Education Agency, 720 The University of Texas System Administration