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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Taylor

DATE TYPED 2/19/05

HB

SHORT TITLE Technology Assistance program

SB 816

ANALYST Weber

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$273.7

Recurring

General

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

REVENUE

Estimated Revenue

Subsequent

Years Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

$821.0

Recurring

Federal

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 816 appropriates $273,660 from the general fund to The Public Education Depart-

ment for the technology assistance program of the Vocational Rehabilitation Division to admin-

ister a statewide low-interest or no-interest loan program for disabled persons.

Significant Issues

DVR reports the appropriation will generate a federal fund match of almost $821 thousand mak-

ing a total budget of near $1.1 million. These funds will be administered by DVR for disabled

Senate Bill 816 -- Page 2

persons to purchase rehabilitation technology. These technologies are designed to allow indi-

viduals to achieve greater independence in both daily living and employment. Typically such

technology is expensive and most disabled persons live in fixed and/or low income environ-

ments. Rehabilitation technology is varied and is used to address a variety of issues such as

communication, mobility, visual aides or auditory aides to name only a few.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $273,660 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund.

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY06 shall revert to the gen-

eral fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

DVR has the capacity and staff expertise to administer the program in a fashion that provides

professional advise to the clients on the proper technology.

MW/sb