Honorable Briscoe Cain, Chair, House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2886 by González, Jessica (Relating to establishing the food systems office to promote food security.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2886, As Introduced : a negative impact of ($493,893) through the biennium ending August 31, 2025.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2024
($261,170)
2025
($232,723)
2026
($232,723)
2027
($232,723)
2028
($232,723)
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2023
2024
($261,170)
2.0
2025
($232,723)
2.0
2026
($232,723)
2.0
2027
($232,723)
2.0
2028
($232,723)
2.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Agriculture Code relating to establishing the food systems office within the Department of Agriculture (TDA) to promote food security.
The bill would direct TDA to establish a food systems office within the agency and require that the office develop programs that support access and food security for Texas residents by establishing more localized food markets, creating streamlined and consolidated application processes for multiple public assistance programs, establishing a communication network of entities and programs operating in and relating to the food system in the state, assisting farmers in contributing to food security, and collecting information to identify food deserts and other communities or populations experiencing food insecurity and to focus on community empowerment and resiliency to ensure food access support.
Methodology
Based on information provided by TDA, this analysis assumes TDA would need 2.0 FTEs, related operating equipment and expenses, and funding for the one-time cost of a rulemaking process. To administer the food systems office the agency would require a Program Specialist IV and a Program Specialist V. The estimated cost for both FTEs is $195,267 in 2024 and $182,723 in 2025.
Based on information provided by TDA, this analysis also assumes a cost of $50,000 each year for professional services to work with a university or vendor to collect and compile information required by this legislation. This analysis also assumes an estimated one-time rulemaking cost of $15,903 in 2024.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.