Honorable J. M. Lozano, Chair, House Committee on Higher Education
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3048 by Ortega (Relating to a study and report regarding shortages in certain health professions.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Education Code to require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), in collaboration with the Texas Health Professions Resource Center, the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies, and the Texas Demographic Center, to conduct a study relating to statewide and regional shortages in health professions. The bill would require THECB to make recommendations regarding the establishment of new programs and expansion of existing programs to meet the increased need for health professionals in the state. The bill would require THECB to submit the results of the study and recommendations for legislative or other action to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each legislative standing committee with primary jurisdiction over higher education no later than November 1, 2018.
The bill would make the study subject to the availability of funds and would allow THECB to solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source to conduct the study, prepare the report, and develop recommendations required by the provisions of the bill.
This analysis assumes that any costs for THECB to implement the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within existing resources. Based on information provided by The University of Texas System, the Department of State Health Services, and the Health and Human Services Commission, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
529 Health and Human Services Commission, 537 State Health Services, Department of, 720 The University of Texas System Administration, 781 Higher Education Coordinating Board