SB 0125 - Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note - SB 0125 - Creates The Legislative Academy

COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

OVERSIGHT DIVISION

FISCAL NOTE

L.R. NO. 0013-02

BILL NO. Perfected SB 125

SUBJECT: General Assembly

TYPE: Original

DATE: April 8, 1999

---

FISCAL SUMMARY

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
General Revenue	$0	($0 to $39,184)	($0 to $78,368)
Total Estimated Net Effect on All State Funds	$0	($0 to $39,184)	($0 to $78,368)

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
None	$0	$0	$0
Total Estimated Net Effect on All Federal Funds	$0	$0	$0

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
Local Government	$0	$0	$0

Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses

This fiscal note contains 4 pages.

FISCAL ANALYSIS

ASSUMPTION

Officials from the Division of Legislative Research assumed the Joint Committee on Legislative Research and the Legislative Academy Advisory Committee would determine the extent of academy offerings. Costs for contract services would be up to $30,000 per academy.

Officials from the House of Representatives (House) assume that the average mileage paid per week would be $40 per member. They assume that mileage under the proposal would cost approximately $10,080 ($40 x 12 weeks x 21 new members). In addition, they assume a per diem of $66 per day for four day weeks (4 days x 12 weeks = 48 days total) would cost $66,528 for FY's 2001 and 2002 under the proposal ($3,168 x 21 new members). Costs would be $76,608 per year of academy for members. They estimated Advisory Committee members would meet four days a week for four weeks. Costs for Advisory Committee members would be $10,944 per year of academy. House officials note that there is currently $35,000 in the budget for freshman tour which could be applied to the cost of the academy.

Officials from the Senate noted that there have recently been two to three new members of the Senate each legislative session. The Senate assumes the academy would be four days per week with per diem at $66 per day and weekly mileage at $80 per member (current average). This would result in an estimated weekly cost per attendee to be $344 [(4 x $66) + $80]. Total estimated cost assuming attendance for twelve weeks of the academy would be $4,128 ($344 x 12 weeks) per member. Assuming two to three members attend the two week duration of the academy, estimated cost to the Senate would be $8,256 to $12,384. Given these assumptions the costs to the Senate could be absorbed within current appropriations during the period of this fiscal note.

Oversight Division officials assume the proposal would result in no direct fiscal impact to the Division and that additional duties could be accomplished with existing resources.

Oversight assumes costs for each session of the Academy would be split between fiscal years.

House and Senate officials note that costs for the academy could increase beginning in FY 2003 because participation will probably increase after constitutional term limit provisions take full

effect. They also note that per diem is tied to federal per diem and will fluctuate as federal per diem fluctuates.

FISCAL IMPACT - State Government	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
	(10 Mo.)
GENERAL REVENUE
Cost-Division of Legislative Research
Contract Services	$0	($0	($0
		to	to$10,000)$20,000)
Cost-House of Representatives	$0	($0	($0
		to	to
		$29,184)	$58,368)
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON
GENERAL REVENUE FUND	$0	($0	($0TOTO
		$39,184)	$78,368)
FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
	(10 Mo.)
	0	0	0
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.

DESCRIPTION

This proposal would establishes a Legislative Academy within the Office of Legislative Research. The Academy would be designed to educate members of the General Assembly about the organization and operation of state government, appropriations and other aspects of the legislative and executive branches. Sessions of the Academy would be conducted during the

interim of each biennium following the first regular session of each General Assembly. Participants would be eligible for per diem and expense allowances comparable to session rates.

The Academy would assume responsibility for coordinating the Freshman Orientation mandated by section 21.183. (Currently, the tours for incoming legislators are scheduled by the DESCRIPTION (continued)

Appropriations Chairs of the respective chambers.)

The proposal would also establish an Advisory Committee to the Legislative Academy comprised of nine former legislators chosen by the Speaker and President Pro Tem. Duties of the Committee would primarily focus upon the Academy curriculum.

This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program, would not require additional capital improvements or rental space, and would not affect total state revenue.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

House of Representatives

Senate

Legislative Research

Oversight Division

Jeanne Jarrett, CPA

Director

April 8, 1999