According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB)'s fiscal note, no significant cost to the state is expected as a result of the bill's implementation. This is largely due to the structure of the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, which is a self-directed, semi-independent agency. As such, it operates outside of the general state appropriations process and is responsible for funding its operations entirely through its own fee-generated revenues.

Importantly, this arrangement means that the agency is prohibited from imposing any financial burden on the General Revenue Fund. Consequently, any administrative costs associated with adopting new rules, adjusting licensing pathways, or updating systems to account for the new baccalaureate-based CPA eligibility route will be absorbed within the agency's existing operational framework.

At the local level, the bill also carries no significant fiscal implications. Local governments do not play a regulatory role in the CPA licensing process, and therefore would not incur any new responsibilities or costs under this legislation.

In summary, HB 1757 achieves its policy goals without creating additional fiscal burdens on state or local budgets, a point that may enhance its appeal among lawmakers prioritizing cost-neutral regulatory reforms.

HB 1757 offers a smart, well-balanced reform to Texas’s CPA licensure system. In response to the state’s growing shortage of certified public accountants, the bill introduces a second pathway to licensure: individuals may now qualify with a baccalaureate degree in accounting or equivalent coursework, paired with two years of relevant work experience, instead of completing the traditional 150-hour educational requirement. This reform modernizes access to the CPA profession while preserving high standards for competency and ethics through existing examination and experience requirements.

Importantly, HB 1757 does not grow the size or scope of government. It does not create any new programs or bureaucracies and stays within the existing authority of the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. The board is simply directed to adopt rules to implement the new eligibility framework, consistent with its existing regulatory role. There is also no added burden on taxpayers. The Board is a self-directed, semi-independent agency that funds itself through fees and is explicitly prohibited from drawing on the General Revenue Fund, ensuring fiscal neutrality.

From a regulatory perspective, the bill reduces the burden on individuals by making licensure more accessible and affordable. It provides a flexible alternative for entering the CPA profession without diminishing standards, supporting workforce expansion, especially in underserved or rural areas. Businesses also benefit from a larger talent pool of CPAs, which supports economic development and professional services across Texas.

By supporting free enterprise, personal responsibility, and limited government, HB 1757 aligns with key liberty principles. It addresses real-world workforce needs in a fiscally responsible, non-expansionary way. For these reasons, Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on HB 1757.

• Individual Liberty: The bill expands freedom of opportunity by allowing individuals to pursue CPA licensure through a more flexible pathway. Rather than requiring 150 semester hours of coursework—a barrier that can be costly and time-consuming—individuals may now qualify with a baccalaureate degree plus two years of work experience. This empowers Texans to choose the path that best suits their educational and career circumstances, respecting individual autonomy and the right to earn a living in a licensed profession.
• Personal Responsibility: By replacing the additional academic requirement with real-world work experience, the bill emphasizes accountability and professional competence. Individuals must still demonstrate mastery through exams and ethical standards, and must now prove practical experience to qualify under the baccalaureate pathway. This shift reinforces the principle that merit, not just classroom time, should determine professional readiness.
• Free Enterprise: The bill lowers unnecessary barriers to entry into the CPA profession, which encourages more market participation and addresses labor shortages in a key sector of the economy. By creating a more accessible licensure process, the bill allows businesses and individuals greater access to accounting professionals and fosters healthy competition, especially benefiting small businesses and rural areas where CPA availability is limited.
• Private Property Rights: The bill does not directly affect property ownership, land use, or related regulatory frameworks. However, by ensuring that more Texans can become CPAs, it could indirectly support better financial stewardship and planning services for property owners and businesses.
• Limited Government: The bill does not grow the size or scope of government. It delegates rulemaking to an existing agency—the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy—without expanding its mission, staff, or funding. The board is self-funded and independent of the General Revenue Fund, meaning the bill does not increase taxpayer burden. Additionally, by reducing overly rigid education mandates, the bill reflects a commitment to minimizing unnecessary regulation.

• SB 262 (Same As)