LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 86TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 17, 2019

TO:
Honorable Senfronia Thompson, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
 
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director     Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director
Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB633 by Kolkhorst (Relating to an initiative to increase the capacity of local mental health authorities to provide access to mental health services in certain counties.), As Engrossed



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB633, As Engrossed: a negative impact of ($659,248) 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 Health and Human Services Commission 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
commission 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 ($348,129)
2021 ($311,119)
2022 $0
2023 $0
2024 $0




Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from
General Revenue Fund
1
Probable Savings/(Cost) from
Federal Funds
555
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2019
2020 ($348,129) ($29,861) 3.3
2021 ($311,119) ($26,687) 3.3
2022
2023
2024

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend Chapter 531 of the Government Code to require the Health and Human
Services Commission (HHSC) to assign local mental health authorities (LMHAs) that are located
in or serve a county with a population of 250,000 or less into regional groups no later than
January 1, 2020. The bill would require HHSC to develop a mental health services development
plan for each regional group that will increase the capacity of the LMHAs in the group. The bill
would require HHSC to publish each plan, an evaluation of each plan, and a comprehensive
statewide analysis of mental health services in counties with a population of 250,000 or less, on its
website no later than December 1, 2020. The section of the bill requiring these plans expires
September 1, 2021.

The bill would take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote in each house.
Otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2019.

Methodology

To implement the provisions of the bill, it is assumed HHSC would need to hire 3.0 Program
Specialist VI to assist with developing and analysis of the plans and to assist with data analysis
and program oversight. It is also assumed HHSC would need to hire 0.3 Research Specialist V to
assist with data analysis and reporting requirements. This analysis assumes the cost of the
additional FTEs, including salary and benefits, would be $377,990 in fiscal year 2020 and
$337,806 in fiscal year 2021. This analysis also assumes the associated costs would expire
September 1, 2021.

The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and the Department of State Health
Services (DSHS) may have a cost associated with the Public Assistance Cost Allocation Plan. It is
assumed these costs could be absorbed within DFPS's and DSHS's existing agency resources.

Technology

Technology costs are expected to be $1,386 for data center costs and $11,072 for equipment costs.

Local Government Impact

The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time because the method of funding
to be used to implement the plans required by the bill are not known at this time.


Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:
WP, AKi, EP, SB