Honorable Gary VanDeaver, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB5274 by Cunningham (Relating to the licensing and regulation of anesthesiologist assistants; requiring an occupational license; providing an administrative penalty; authorizing fees.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB5274, As Introduced: an impact of $0 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
$0
2027
$0
2028
$20,205
2029
$44,205
2030
$68,205
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2025
2026
($164,795)
$164,795
1.2
2027
($139,795)
$139,795
1.2
2028
($139,795)
$160,000
1.2
2029
($139,795)
$184,000
1.2
2030
($139,795)
$208,000
1.2
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Texas Occupations Code to create a new chapter related to anesthesiologist assistants. The bill would create the the Texas Anesthesiologist Assistant Board under the Texas Medical Board (TMB), and require TMB to establish licensure, continuing education requirements, collect fees, and take enforcement actions related to the regulation of anesthesiologist assistants.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2025, but licensure requirements and TMB's enforcement authority would take effect September 1, 2026.
Methodology
Based upon analysis of the Texas Medical Board (TMB), this estimate assumes that the agency would require 1.2 additional full-time-equivalent (FTE) positions to implement the provisions of the bill. The agency anticipates requiring 1.0 additional License and Permit Specialist FTE ($57,850 each year with $17,309 in estimated benefits) to address the additional license applications, renewals, and assist with enforcement actions, and 0.2 General Counsel FTE ($23,750 each year with 7,106 in estimated benefits) to assist in rulemaking and additional enforcement or disciplinary hearings. This estimate assumes an additional annual cost of $33,780 each year for operating costs of the additional staff. In fiscal year 2026, this estimate assumes a one-time cost of $25,000 for the technological changes to the agency licensing database to accommodate the new licensee type.
Based upon information provided by TMB, this estimate assumes that 400 individuals will apply for the new license type in FY 26, and that 40 individuals will apply each year thereafter. This estimate assumes an initial application fee of $400 and a renewal fee of $600. The bill would require the anesthesiologist assistant board to set fees that are reasonable and necessary to cover the cost of administering the program, and would, at a minimum, generate revenue equal to the cost of the appropriation.
Based upon analysis of the Department of Public Safety, any additional duties and responsibilities as a result of implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.
Technology
This estimate assumes that TMB would require additional resources to conduct changes to the agency's licensing database to accommodate the new licensee type.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 405 Department of Public Safety, 503 Texas Medical Board