LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                          Austin, Texas

                           FISCAL NOTE
                       74th Regular Session

                          March 22, 1995



 TO:     Honorable Tom Craddick, Chair          IN RE: Committee Substitute
         Committee on Ways & Means              for House Bill No. 399
         House of Representatives
         Austin, Texas







FROM: John Keel, Director

In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on House Bill No.
399 (relating to the authorization of an exemption from ad
valorem taxation of boats and other equipment used in the
commercial taking of fish, shrimp, shellfish, and other marine
life) this office has determined the following:

The bill would allow the governing body of a taxing unit to grant
a property tax exemption for commercial fishing boats of less
than 100 feet in length.  The exemption would also apply to nets
and other equipment used primarily in the taking of fish, shrimp,
shellfish, and other marine life for sale as food for human
consumption.

The bill would take effect January 1, 1996, but only with final
approval of a constitutional amendment, such as House Joint
Resolution 35, authorizing the legislature to exempt commercial
fishing equipment.

The bill would not a fiscal impact on the State, because the bill
would not cause a reduction in school district taxable value
reported to the Commissioner of Education by the Comptroller.


No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The fiscal implication to  units of local government cannot be
determined.    




Source:   Comptroller of Public Accounts
          LBB Staff: JK, BR, DF