ATHLETES W/ DISABILITIES COMM.                                                         S.B. 257 (S-3):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 257 (Substitute S-3 as reported)

Sponsor:  Senator Ian Conyers

Committee:  Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

CONTENT

The bill would enact the "Athletes with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Empowerment Commission Act" to do the following:

-- Create the Athletes with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Empowerment Commission within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

-- Provide for the appointment of members to the Commission, and its procedures.

-- Specify the Commission's responsibilities, such as promoting recreational opportunities and athletic competitions for athletes with an intellectual or developmental disability, and educating the general public on the benefits of athletics for people with disabilities.

-- Establish the "Athletes with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Empowerment Fund".

-- Require the DHHS to spend Fund money, upon appropriation, only for certain purposes, including to provide funding for training athletes with an intellectual or developmental disability.

                                                                                    Legislative Analyst:  Jeff Mann

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have a small negative fiscal impact on the State and no fiscal impact on local units of government. Members of the proposed Commission would serve without compensation, but could be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses. The costs would depend on the actual reimbursements requested by Commission members for expenses, but could be paid for out of existing Department of Health and Human Services appropriations.

The Department of Treasury would experience a minor increase in costs in order to administer the Athletes with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Empowerment Fund. The cost to administer the Fund would be less than $10,000 and could be paid for out of existing Department of Treasury appropriations.

Date Completed:  3-8-18                                                  Fiscal Analyst:  Ellyn Ackerman

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.