Honorable John Kuempel, Chair, House Committee on Licensing & Administrative Procedures
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2525 by Zerwas (Relating to the licensing and regulation of physician assistants.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2525, As Introduced: a positive impact of $55,080 through the biennium ending August 31, 2019.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2018
$49,690
2019
$5,390
2020
$12,390
2021
$18,390
2022
$25,390
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2017
2018
($52,310)
$102,000
1.0
2019
($49,610)
$55,000
1.0
2020
($49,610)
$62,000
1.0
2021
($49,610)
$68,000
1.0
2022
($49,610)
$75,000
1.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Occupations Code relating to the licensing and regulation of physician assistants. The bill would add individuals who complete certain education requirements as an Anesthesiologist Assistant (AA) to be eligible for licensure under Chapter 204, Physician Assistants of the Occupations Code. The bill would require that an AA be supervised by a physician who is an anesthesiologist and maintains a physical proximity that enables the supervising anesthesiologist to be immediately available if needed.
The bill requires the Physician Assistant Board or the Texas Medical Board (TMB) to adopt rules to implement the provisions of the bill.
The bill would take effect on September 1, 2017.
Methodology
TMB estimates one licensing full time equivalent (FTE) will be needed for the licensing and renewal of the AAs as established under the provisions of the bill and tracking of anesthesiologist supervision. The additional FTE would have an estimated cost of $52,310 in fiscal year (FY) 18 and $49,610 each year thereafter. TMB estimates one-time IT equipment costs of $2,700 for the additional FTE and annual costs of $36,312 in salaries and wages and $13,298 in employee benefits and other payroll contribution costs.
This analysis assumes that any increased cost to TMB, which is statutorily required to generate sufficient revenue to cover its costs of operation, would be offset by an increase in fee-generated revenue. Based on information provided by TMB regarding assumed license applicants, fees, and fee schedules, the Comptroller of Public Accounts estimates revenue deposited to the General Revenue Fund of approximately $102,000 in FY18, including 200 initial AA registrations ($496 per registration) and 25 temporary licenses ($107 per license); $55,000 in FY19 including 50 new applicants, 100 renewals ($272 per renewal) and 25 temporary licenses; $62,000 in FY20 including 50 new applicants, 125 renewals and 25 temporary licenses; $68,000 in FY21 including 50 new applicants, 150 renewals and 25 temporary licenses; and $75,000 in FY22 including 50 new applicants, 175 renewals and 25 temporary licenses.
Technology
The costs identified above include estimated one-time information technology costs of $2,700 for equipment for the additional FTE at TMB.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 503 Texas Medical Board