Honorable Ryan Guillen, Chair, House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB2155 by Perry (Relating to the regulation of veterinary professionals and facilities by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and the temporary administration of the board by the Department of Licensing and Regulation.), As Engrossed
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB2155, As Engrossed: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2027.
Pursuant to Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 801, Section 154, the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners is required to generate sufficient revenues to cover the cost of agency appropriations and the other direct and indirect costs appropriated to other state agencies. This estimate assumes that the amount of fee revenue generated under the provisions of the bill will be sufficient to cover the costs of implementing the bill's provisions if funds are appropriated for this purpose.
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
$0
2029
$0
2030
$0
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
$0
$0
0.0
2027
$0
$0
0.0
2028
($189,637)
$189,637
2.0
2029
($177,355)
$177,355
2.0
2030
($177,355)
$177,355
2.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Texas Occupations Code to create a new registration type and require veterinary medicine to be practiced only in veterinary medical facilities registered with the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (BVME). The bill would require BVME to adopt and enforce rules relating to standards of operation of veterinary medical facilities, set penalties, and establish a fee and method of registration.
The bill would go into effect September 1, 2025, but veterinary medical facilities are not required to register with BVME until September 1, 2027.
Methodology
Based upon the analysis provided by the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, this estimate assumes the agency will require additional staffing resources to implement the provisions of the bill. The agency anticipates needing an additional 2.0 Investigator ($58,288 each year with $17,439 in estimated benefits) full-time-equivalent positions to perform on-site inspections and conduct any resulting complaint investigations. This estimate assumes additional operational expenses of $5,589 for equipment and travel, with an additional $6,101 in fiscal year 2028 for onboarding costs. Provided that veterinary medical facilities are not required to be registered until 2028, any costs would not be incurred until then.
Pursuant to Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 801, Section 154, the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners is required to generate sufficient revenues to cover the cost of agency appropriations and the other direct and indirect costs appropriated to other state agencies. This estimate assumes that the amount of fee revenue generated under the provisions of the bill will be sufficient to cover the costs of implementing the bill's provisions if funds are appropriated for this purpose.
Based on the analysis provided by the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), this estimate assumes that the new registration type will result in additional cases brought before SOAH as the agency conducts all hearings related to BVME licensure action. This estimate assumes that the increase in cases is anticipated to be six cases annually, resulting in a cost of $19,800 each year. Provided that veterinary medical facilities are not required to be registered until 2028, any costs would not be incurred until then.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 300 Trusteed Programs Within the Office of the Governor, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 360 State Office of Administrative Hearings, 452 Department of Licensing and Regulation, 578 Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners