Colorado Legislative Council Staff

STATE

FISCAL NOTE

No State General Fund Impact

Cash Fund Revenue and Expenditure Impact


Drafting Number:

Prime Sponsor(s):

LLS 98-803

Rep. Salaz

Date:

Bill Status:

Fiscal Analyst:

February 20, 1998

House HEWI

Will Meyer (866-4976)

 

TITLE:            CONCERNING CHIROPRACTIC LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS.



Summary of Legislation


            The provisions of this bill would allow the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners to adopt the practical examination developed and administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. The bill will become effective at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the ninety-day period after adjournment sine die of the General Assembly, or on the date of the official declaration of the vote of the people as proclaimed by the Governor, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to Article V, Section 1 (3) of the State Constitution.


STATE FISCAL IMPACT SUMMARY

FY 1998/99

FY 1999/2000

State Revenues

General Fund

Division of Registrations Cash Fund



($9,000)



($21,000)

State Expenditures

General Fund

Division of Registrations Cash Fund



($6,850)



($13,700)

FTE Position Change

None

None

Local Government Impact — None Identified.


            Current Practice. The national board developed and began administering the practical examination in January 1996. Currently, 28 states accept or require the practical examination administered by the national board. The Colorado state examination is given twice a year, in September and February. The state board contracts with a private vendor to assist in the development and administration of the exam. Under the provisions of HB 98-1369, the state board would no longer contract with a private vendor to develop and administer a state practical examination, or to hire proctors to help administer the exam. This would result in a reduction in state expenditures and state revenues.





State Revenues


            The practical examination fee for chiropractors is currently $300 and is paid by an average of 110 applicants per year. It is estimated that the number of applicants will increase to 120 per year beginning in FY 1998/99. The fee is established to cover the costs of the practical examination, including the costs of processing the application, administering the examination, and recording the results. By eliminating the costs of the examination, the board would lower the application fee to approximately $100 per year, an amount that together with current fund balances would be sufficient to cover the residual costs of the board. The new fee would apply to persons who submit applications for the February 1999 examination. It is estimated that current revenues of $33,000 would decrease to $24,000 (60 applicants times $300 and 60 applicants times $100) in FY 1998/99 and $12,000 in in FY 1999/2000 (120 applicants times $100). The reduction in fee revenues is estimated to be $9,000 in FY 1998/99 and $21,000 in FY 1999/2000. The cost of the national board examination is $750.


 

State Expenditures


            The state board currently spends approximately $16,700 to develop and administer the examination. Beginning with the February 1999 examination, the state board would save costs related to board member participation, vendor contract, exam development members, exam proctor’s per diem, and other direct operating costs associated with the examination. It is estimated that the provisions of this bill would reduce the expenditures of the board by $6,850 (1/2 year) in FY 1998/99, $13,700 in FY 1999/2000, and the entire current expenditure of $16,700 in FY 2000/2001. The workload of the board would not be significantly impacted by the provisions of this bill.



Spending Authority


            This fiscal note implies that the Department of Regulatory Agencies would require a cash fund reduction of $6,850 in their appropriation for FY 1998/99.



Departments Contacted


            Regulatory Agencies