Colorado Legislative Council Staff

STATE

FISCAL NOTE

General Fund Revenue and Cash Fund Expenditure


Drafting Number:

Prime Sponsor(s):

LLS 98-278

Rep. T. Williams

Sen. Schroeder

Date:

Bill Status:

Fiscal Analyst:

January 8, 1998

House Business Affairs

Will Meyer (866-4976)

 

TITLE:            CONCERNING REGULATION OF ARCHITECTS BY THE STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF ARCHITECTS.



Summary of Legislation


            The provisions of this bill would make changes to the regulation of architects by the State Board of Examiners of Architects. The bill would repeal the current requirement that the board maintain a roster of architects. The bill would also allow the board to set the maximum fines by rule. The maximum fine amount would be the lesser of 25% of the project at issue or $50,000. It also would allow the board to issue cease and desist orders for violation of the title protection section. The bill would become effective July 1, 1998.



STATE FISCAL IMPACT SUMMARY

FY 1998/99

FY 1999/2000

State Revenues

General Fund

Other Fund


Potential Increase in Fine Revenue

State Expenditures

General Fund

Division of Registrations’s Cash Fund



($3,315)



($3,315)

FTE Position Change

None

None

Local Government Impact — None.



State Revenues


            The provision of the bill would allow the board to establish fines, which could result in an increase in the amount of fine revenue to the General Fund. Fine revenues collected over the past several years have been insignificant, totaling $2,650 in FY 1994/95, $2,672 in FY 1995/96 and $3,000 in FY 1996/97. It is not possible to accurately predict how many violations will occur in future years or the amount of the fine for any particular case.


            Section 20 of Article X of the Colorado Constitution, limits the maximum annual percentage increase in state fiscal year spending. Once total state revenue from all sources that are not specifically excluded from fiscal year spending exceeds these limits for the fiscal year, the state constitution requires that the excess shall be refunded in the next fiscal year unless voters approve a revenue change as an offset. Based on the current Legislative Council economic forecast, it is projected that the state will be in a TABOR refund position during each of the next five fiscal years. Any increase in state revenue from changes in fees, fines, licenses, or other revenue sources will affect the amount of the state revenue to be refunded.



State Expenditures


            The repeal of the requirement to annually publish a roster of architects will result in savings of $3,315 CF.

 


Spending Authority

 

            This fiscal note implies that the Division of Registrations, Department of Regulatory Agencies would require $3,315 CF less in spending authority from the Division of Registration’s cash fund in FY 1998/99.



Departments Contacted


            Regulatory Agencies