LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 87TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 27, 2021

TO:
Honorable James White, Chair, House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety
 
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB64 by Nelson (Relating to a peer support network for certain law enforcement personnel.), As Engrossed


Estimated Two­-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB64, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($1,051,820) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023.



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

General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:

Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to
General Revenue Related Funds
2022($525,910)
2023($525,910)
2024($525,910)
2025($525,910)
2026($525,910)

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from
General Revenue Fund
1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2021
2022($525,910)1.4
2023($525,910)1.4
2024($525,910)1.4
2025($525,910)1.4
2026($525,910)1.4


Fiscal Analysis

The bill would require the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) to create a peer support network for law enforcement officers not later than January 1, 2022. TCOLE may contract with an institution of higher education that has "appropriate expertise in mental health or law enforcement" to develop the network.

Additionally, the bill would require TCOLE to submit an annual report to the Governor and members of the Legislature not later than December 1 of each year. 
 
This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2021.


Methodology

According to TCOLE, it is assumed that contracting services with an institution of higher education would cost $349,709 in each fiscal year.
 
To implement the provisions of the bill, it is assumed TCOLE would need to hire 1.0 Program Specialist V to assist with program oversight. It is also assumed TCOLE would need to hire 0.4 Contract Specialist V to assist with contract-related activities. This analysis assumes the cost of the additional FTEs, including salary, benefits, and travel would be $159,271 in each fiscal year.

Based upon information provided by institutions of higher education, it is assumed that the provisions of the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.

This analysis assumes implementing the provisions of the bill would not result in a significant impact on state correctional populations or on the demand for state correctional resources.


Technology

Technology costs are expected to be $10,886 in fiscal year 2022, $2,994 in fiscal year 2023, and $3,000 in each fiscal year thereafter.



Local Government Impact

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


Source Agencies:
407 Law Enforcement, 529 Hlth & Human Svcs Comm, 710 Texas A&M Univ System Admin, 720 UT Sys Admin, 758 Texas State University System, 768 Texas Tech Univ Sys Admin, 769 UNT System Administration, 783 Univ of Houston Sys Admin
LBB Staff:
JMc, DKN, KFB, NA, AKI, JLI, SB