Honorable Roland Gutierrez, Chair, House Committee on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB578 by Lucio (relating to measures to facilitate the delivery of certain mental health services for veterans.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Education Code to require The University of Texas (UT) System Board of Regents to establish the National Center for Warrior Resiliency at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA). The Center would be established to provide clinical care and research of issues relating to combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder and comorbid conditions. The bill would require the UT Board of Regents to provide for the employment of staff and an operating budget for the Center. The bill would allow the UT System Board of Regents to solicit, accept, and administer gifts and grants from any public or private source for the Center and would allow the Center to enter into agreements or collaborations with public or private entities to perform the research functions of the Center.
According to UT System, the Center's programmatic services would be supported through grant funding. UT System indicated the Center would require $1.25 million per year to support the administrative costs of the Center. This would include funding to support 7.5 full-time equivalent positions, rent, and other operational costs. Based on information provided by UT System, this analysis assumes any costs related to the Center would be paid for with institutional funds.
The bill would amend the Government Code relating to the creation by the Health and Human Commission of a veteran suicide prevention action plan. Based on information provided by the commission, this analysis assumes that any costs associated with implementing the bill could be absorbed within existing resources.
The bill would take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote in each house. Otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.