LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 74th Regular Session February 20, 1995 TO: Honorable Hugo Berlanga, Chair IN RE: House Bill No. 682 Committee on Public Health By: Craddick House of Representatives Austin, Texas FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on House Bill No. 682 (Relating to the regulation of certain animal control officers; providing a penalty.) this office has determined the following: 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 create a registration program for animal control officers at the Texas Department of Health. The bill would create an account in the General Revenue Fund to be known as the Animal Control Registration Account. Funds collected and deposited into the account would be dedicated to the administration and enforcement of Chapter 829, Health & Safety Code. Funds would be collected through application, registration, and examination fees. The bill would create an advisory committee to make recommendations to the Board of Health regarding the adoption of rules under Chapter 829, and advise the Department of Health on the enforcement of the chapter. Members of the advisory committee would be entitled to reimbursement. The bill would allow city and county governments to assess a fine not to exceed $4 for each violation of an ordinance or order relating to animal control or animal cruelty. These surcharges would only be used to pay for continuing education programs required for renewal of registration as an animal control officer. The probable fiscal implication of implementing the provisions of the bill during each of the first five years following passage is estimated as follows: Fiscal Cost out of Animal Gain to Animal Change in Year Control Control Number of State Registration Registration Employees from Account Account FY 1995 1996 $44,640 $44,640 1.0 1997 38,976 38,976 1.0 1998 38,976 38,976 1.0 1999 38,976 38,976 1.0 2000 38,976 38,976 1.0 Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as the provisions of the bill are in effect. The fiscal implication to units of local government cannot be determined. Source: Comptroller of Public Accounts, Department of Health LBB Staff: JK, KF, AZ, DF