TO:	Honorable Lois W. Kolkhorst, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services

FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	HB5342 by Landgraf (Relating to the provision of behavioral health crisis services, including measures to fund and support the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and related services.), As Engrossed

The bill would establish the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline trust fund as a trust fund outside of the state treasury and administered by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). The bill would require money deposited in the trust fund to be used to implement, maintain, or improve the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and require the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company to hold and invest the fund. The bill would require HHSC to provide a report to the Legislature on the implementation of funding mechanisms to support the operation of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, including an evaluation of the feasibility of establishing a service fee on telecommunication services.

This analysis assumes HHSC could absorb any costs associated with the bill using existing resources.

Note: The bill would move funds outside the Treasury or otherwise create or establish a fund outside the Treasury. The Texas Constitution authorizes funds outside the Treasury to be expended without legislative appropriation, which may limit the Legislature's ability to make appropriation decisions concerning these funds in the future.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


May 13, 2025