Honorable Gary VanDeaver, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB35 by Thompson (Relating to a peer support network for first responders.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB35, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($9,083,459) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027.
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
2026
($5,103,210)
2027
($3,980,249)
2028
($3,980,249)
2029
($4,009,499)
2030
($3,980,249)
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2025
2026
($5,103,210)
10.2
2027
($3,980,249)
10.2
2028
($3,980,249)
10.2
2029
($4,009,499)
10.2
2030
($3,980,249)
10.2
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to develop a peer support network for first responders that would establish regional peer support hubs and connect first responders with clinical resources at no cost to the first responders. The network would be required to include: (1) peer-to-peer support; (2) training for peer service coordinators and peers that includes suicide prevention training; (3) technical assistance for program development, peer service coordinators, licensed mental health professionals and peers; and (4) identification, retention, and screening of licensed mental health professionals.
Additionally, the bill would require an annual report from TDEM on certain information specified in the bill's provisions.
Methodology
Based on information provided by TDEM, it is estimated that the agency would need to hire 1.0 State Director of Program, 8.0 Regional Hub Coordinators, and 1.2 Program Specialist V for the recruitment, education, and training of peer mentors across the state for a total of approximately $2.0 million per fiscal year for salaries and benefits, travel, and other related operating expenses. The agency would need $0.9 million in fiscal year 2026 for motor vehicles for the program director and regional hub coordinators to recruit and train peer mentors across the state. Additionally, it is estimated that the agency would need approximately $2.0 million per fiscal year for the establishment of the regional peer support hubs.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
407 Commission on Law Enforcement, 575 Texas Division of Emergency Management, 710 Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices