Honorable Charles Perry, Chair, Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB4018 by Ashby (Relating to the use of Parks and Wildlife Department land for carbon sequestration or similar ecosystem services projects.), As Engrossed
The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined due to the timing, number of agreements that would be entered into, and the amount of revenue generated from carbon sequestration or similar ecosystem services projects as defined by the bill on lands under the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's jurisdiction being unknown.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
The bill would amend the Parks and Wildlife Code as it relates to the use of land Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) land and revenues deposited to the credit of certain dedicated accounts. The bill would permit TPWD to enter into agreements with public or private entities for the purposes of developing carbon sequestration or similar ecosystem services projects on lands under the department's jurisdiction. Revenue generated under these agreements on land primarily used for game or fish conservation would be deposited to the credit of the Game, Fish and Water Safety Account No. 9. Revenue generated under these agreements on land primarily used for parks, recreation, or historic sites would be deposited to the credit of the State Parks Account No. 64.
It is assumed that the fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined because the number of agreements that TPWD will enter into as well as the potential value of revenue generated from carbon sequestration or similar ecosystem services projects on lands under TPWD jurisdiction is unknown.
This legislation would create or recreate a dedicated account in the General Revenue Fund, create or recreate a fund either in, with, or outside of the Treasury, or dedicate or rededicate a revenue source. The dedication included in this bill, unless created by a constitutional amendment, would be subject to funds consolidation review by the current Legislature.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 802 Parks and Wildlife Department