LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 21, 2025 TO: 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 toGeneral Revenue Related Funds2026($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) fromGeneral Revenue Fund1 Change in Number of State Employees from FY 20252026($5,103,210)10.22027($3,980,249)10.22028($3,980,249)10.22029($4,009,499)10.22030($3,980,249)10.2 Fiscal AnalysisThe 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. LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 21, 2025 TO: 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 TO: 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 Honorable Gary VanDeaver, Chair, House Committee on Public Health Honorable Gary VanDeaver, Chair, House Committee on Public Health Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board HB35 by Thompson (Relating to a peer support network for first responders.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted 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. 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. 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: 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: 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: b > td > 407 Commission on Law Enforcement, 575 Texas Division of Emergency Management, 710 Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices 407 Commission on Law Enforcement, 575 Texas Division of Emergency Management, 710 Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices LBB Staff: b > td > JMc, NPe, LBO, CPo, NV JMc, NPe, LBO, CPo, NV