LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

Revision 1

March 31, 2017

TO:	Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Finance
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB298 by Hinojosa (Relating to the creation and funding of the Texas Forensic Science Commission operating account.), As Introduced

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB298, As Introduced: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2019.

General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2018	$0
2019	$0
2020	$0
2021	$0
2022	$0

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Revenue Gain from New General Revenue Dedicated
2018	$0
2019	$70,000
2020	$70,000
2021	$70,000
2022	$70,000

Fiscal Analysis

This bill would amend Article 38.01 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, regarding the Texas Forensic Science Commission (Commission). The bill would add new Section 13 to establish the Texas Forensic Science Commission Operating Account as an account in the General Revenue Fund. The commission would deposit into the new account fees collected from the issuance or renewal of forensic analyst licenses. Under provisions of the bill, money in the account could be appropriated only to the commission for the administration and enforcement of this article.

Methodology

Based on information provided by the Texas Forensic Science Commission (Commission), licensees are required to pay their first annual fee by January 1, 2019. The Commission anticipates receiving the vast majority of fee revenue at the beginning of fiscal year 2019 (September of calendar year 2018). The Commission estimates that 700 examiners will apply during the first year, and anticipate a fee of $100 per examiner. The Commission also anticipates that these examiners will pay an annual renewal fee of $100 beginning in fiscal year 2020. Based on these projections, $70,000 would be deposited in this new General Revenue-Dedicated Account beginning in fiscal year 2019.

 

This bill would create or recreate a dedicated account in the General Revenue Fund, create or recreate a special or trust fund either within or outside the Treasury, or create a dedicated revenue source. The fund, account, or revenue dedication included in the bill would be subject to funds consolidation review by the current Legislature.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 758 Texas State University System

LBB Staff:

UP, KK, DEH, GO, KJo, GDz