COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
OVERSIGHT DIVISION
FISCAL NOTE
L.R. No.: 0504-01
Bill No.: SB 154
Subject: Education, Higher; Telecommunity Centers
Type: Original
Date: January 8, 2001
FISCAL SUMMARY
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2002 | FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All State Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2002 | FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All Federal Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2002 | FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
| Local Government | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.
This fiscal note contains 4 pages.
ASSUMPTION
Officials from Truman State University said they were currently partners with a local school district and the University of Missouri in a Telecommunications Resource Center (TCRC). They said this center already provides the services described in the proposal.
Officials from the University of Missouri said investments in a TCRC are very expensive. The University of Missouri has experienced costs in excess of $250,000 for initial equipment and substantial personnel costs to staff the site.
Officials from the Missouri Western State College assume a fiscal impact would result only if the institution would be prohibited from charging fees for use of the facilities. They assume fees or General Revenue support would be available for expenditures of $71,375 in FY02, $35,000 in FY03, and $35,625 in FY 04 for salaries, benefits, equipment, and expenses.
Officials from the Central Missouri State University assume there would be no fiscal impact to their institution.
Officials from the Coordinating Board For Higher Education (CBHE) assume there would be no impact on the CBHE. They noted the permissive language of the proposal precludes any impact as the establishment of telecommunity centers is not required. They also assume that institutions currently have the authority to establish such centers if they wish.
Officials from Linn State Technical College assume there would be no fiscal impact to their institution.
Officials from Harris-Stowe State College assume there would be no fiscal impact to their institution.
Officials from Southwest Missouri State University, in a response to a similar proposal in the prior session (SB 1066, 2000), assumed they would need two instructors at $35,000 each and one technical support supervisor at $35,000. In addition, they assume they would need thirty computers and software. Therefore, total costs would be approximately $200,000 annually.
The proposal states, "each center would use the institution's existing information technology resources, including staff, office space, equipment and information access." Therefore, the Oversight Division assumes the fiscal impact would be zero.
| FISCAL IMPACT - State Government | FY 2002
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 |
| FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government | FY 2002
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 |
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.
DESCRIPTION
Each state four-year institution of higher education and each state community college may establish a local telecommunity center. Telecommunity centers would provide opportunities for local community residents to learn computer literacy. An institution may provide student or volunteer staffing using existing revenues and resources of the institution.
Each center shall use the institution's existing information technology resources, including staff, office space, equipment and information access. An institution may allow senior level undergraduates and graduate students to provide technical assistance to community residents at telecommunity centers and receive course credit.
Each institution shall establish a policy to ensure that students of the institution are afforded necessary access to all available information technology resources.
This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Truman State University
University of Missouri
Missouri Western State College
Central Missouri State University
Coordinating Board For Higher Education
Linn State Technical College
Harris-Stowe State College
Southwest Missouri State University
Jeanne Jarrett, CPA
Director
January 8, 2001