Honorable Charles Perry, Chair, Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1118 by Johnson (Relating to the creation and administration of the On-The-Ground Conservation Program by the State Soil and Water Conservation Board.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board is required to implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the agency may, but is not required to, implement a provision of this Act using other appropriations available for that purpose.
The bill would amend the Agriculture Code to require the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation (SWCB) Board to create and administer a program called the On-The-Ground Conservation Program, which would be intended to maximize public benefits by facilitating certain stated conservation measures and other soil and water conservation land improvement measures. SWCB would be required to provide technical assistance, cost-share assistance, and direct grants. SWCB would be required to establish cost-share rates for eligible soil and water conservation land improvement measures under the program. SWCB would be required to report annually on the program. The bill would be effective September 1, 2021.
Based on information provided by SWCB, it is assumed that duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished utilizing existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.