Honorable Donna Campbell, Chair, Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Border Security
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB306 by Herrero (relating to the creation of an open burn pit registry for certain service members and veterans.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB306, Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($2,592,235) through the biennium ending August 31, 2021.
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 Department of State Health Services is required to implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the department may, but is not required to, implement a provision of this Act using other appropriations available for that purpose.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2020
($1,945,433)
2021
($646,802)
2022
($647,602)
2023
($648,422)
2024
($649,262)
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2019
2020
($1,945,433)
4.0
2021
($646,802)
4.0
2022
($647,602)
4.0
2023
($648,422)
4.0
2024
($649,262)
4.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code relating to the creation of an open burn pit registry for certain service members and veterans.
The bill would require the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to create and maintain an open burn pit registry for service members and veterans who were exposed to open burn pit smoke or other airborne hazards during certain military services.
The bill would require DSHS to provide information on the agency's website to inform service members, veterans, and families about the open burn pit registry, related health effects of exposure to open burn pit smoke, and various treatments.
The bill would take effect on September 1, 2019.
Methodology
This analysis assumes program start-up costs during fiscal year 2020 and ongoing maintenance costs for each year thereafter.
Analysis assumes DSHS would hire 4.0 new FTEs and utilize existing staff to create and maintain the program. New FTEs include: one Research Specialist IV responsible for data collection, management and responding to data requests; one Epidemiologist III responsible for calculating appropriate statistics, data quality, and creating reports; one Information Specialist IV responsible for conducting user webinars, managing the website, and assessing the effectiveness of the information provided on the health effects of exposure to open burn pit smoke; and one Systems Analyst IV responsible for updating and providing technical assistance to the registry.
According to the Veterans Commission, any costs associated with implementing the provisions of the bill can be absorbed within existing resources by Veterans Commission.
Technology
Technology costs related to program start-up are estimated to be $1,203,718 in capital expenditures and $200,000 for professional services in fiscal year 2020. Ongoing technology costs include $800 each year for software licenses and $95,000 each year for professional services.
Additional technology costs include $1,646 for computer and laptop accessories for each new FTE, and $210 each year for each new FTE for Data Center Services.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
403 Veterans Commission, 537 State Health Services, Department of