85(R) HB 4117 - Introduced version

There could be an indeterminate cost to the state to establish a telemental health dedicated fund depending on the amounts provided by certain funding sources.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

The bill would establish a new dedicated account in the General Revenue Fund consisting of appropriations by the legislature, gifts, grants, including federal grants, and other donations. The fund would be appropriated only to the Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) to pay for programs, training, and capital improvements necessary to implement or improve telemental health services in county jails in counties with a population of less than 100,000. The bill would permit TCJS to establish a grant to counties for this purpose. The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.

TCJS would require 1.0 additional full-time equivalent (FTE) to administer the grant program and to research and apply for grant funding. The estimated cost of an additional FTE, including salary, benefits, travel, equipment, and consumables, would be $83,782 in fiscal year 2018, $82,682 in fiscal year 2019, and $82,682 in each subsequent fiscal year. TCJS estimates 195 counties would be eligible to participate in the grant program, but cannot determine the number of counties that would apply for grants. The Comptroller of Public Accounts cannot estimate the cost to the state as the amounts provided by the sources cannot be determined.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


April 5, 2017

TO:	Honorable Garnet Coleman, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs

FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	HB4117 by Coleman (Relating to the creation of the county jail telemental health fund.), As Introduced