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LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 88TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 19, 2023

TO:	Honorable Brad Buckley, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB4358 by Allison (Relating to including digital teaching in the micro-credential certification program for public school educator continuing education.), As Introduced

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB4358, As Introduced : a negative impact of ($999,344) through the biennium ending August 31, 2025.

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
2024	($783,879)
2025	($215,465)
2026	$0
2027	$0
2028	$0

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1	Probable Savings/(Cost) from Certif & Assessment Fees 751	Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from Certif & Assessment Fees 751	Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2023
2024	($783,879)	$0		2.0
2025	($215,465)	$0		2.0
2026	$0	($215,465)	$215,465	2.0
2027	$0	($215,465)	$215,465	2.0
2028	$0	($215,465)	$215,465	2.0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would require the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) to propose rules establishing a process for educators to receive micro-credentials in digital teaching. The bill would require SBEC to engage relevant stakeholders in the development of micro-credentials related to digital teaching.

Methodology

TEA assumes two full-time-equivalent (FTE) positions would be required to develop criteria and rules to create the micro-credential in digital teaching program at a cost of approximately $0.2 million per fiscal year. The positions would be needed to establish application and approval processes for micro-credential providers; audit providers; engage relevant stakeholders, provide technical assistance to educators and providers; collect and analyze data; and update databases and websites. The agency assumes current data tools would need to be updated to implement this section and anticipate the cost to be $33,440 in the first fiscal year.

The agency anticipates a new SBEC fee would be paid by providers and educators to cover the administrative costs of the program beginning in fiscal year 2026. 

Technology

TEA indicates that the cost to develop and implement provisions of the bill in the agency's Educator Certification Online System would be approximately $0.5 million for the biennium. 

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

701 Texas Education Agency

LBB Staff:

JMc, KSk, ASA, ENA