Honorable Lois W. Kolkhorst, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1698 by Kolkhorst (Relating to peace officers commissioned by the Health and Human Services Commission's office of inspector general.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1698, As Introduced : a negative impact of ($3,969,056) 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
($1,984,528)
2025
($1,984,528)
2026
($1,984,528)
2027
($1,984,528)
2028
($1,984,528)
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Probable Savings/(Cost) from GR Match For Medicaid 758
Probable Savings/(Cost) from Federal Funds 555
2024
($1,960,460)
($24,068)
($228,310)
2025
($1,960,460)
($24,068)
($228,310)
2026
($1,960,460)
($24,068)
($228,310)
2027
($1,960,460)
($24,068)
($228,310)
2028
($1,960,460)
($24,068)
($228,310)
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require the Health and Human Services Commission's (HHSC) Office of Inspector General (OIG) to employ peace officers to assist state or local law enforcement agencies investigate alleged criminal offenses involving patients at state hospitals or residents at state supported living centers. The bill would add the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to programs that OIG peace officers shall investigate fraud, waste, and abuse under. The bill would require OIG to compensate peace officers according to Schedule C of the position classification salary schedule included in the General Appropriations Act. The bill would take effect September 1, 2023.
Methodology
According to HHSC, additional funding is needed to provide for increased salaries for current positions at OIG that would be reclassed to the Schedule C classification salary schedule. Based on information provided by the agency, analysis assumes an additional $2,212,838 in All Funds is needed each fiscal year to reclassify 38 current positions from Schedule B Classification Salary Schedule to Schedule C Classification Salary Schedule, including employee benefits.
It is assumed that HHSC can perform all other functions of the bill with existing resources.
It is assumed the Department of Public Safety can perform the functions of the bill with existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
405 Department of Public Safety, 529 Health and Human Services Commission