LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE
74th Regular Session
April 12, 1995
TO: Honorable Pete Patterson, Chair IN RE: Committee Substitute
Committee on Agriculture & Livestock for House
House of Representatives Bill No. 2245
Austin, Texas
FROM: John Keel, Director
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on House Bill No.
2245 (relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas
Animal Health Commission; providing administrative and criminal
penalties) 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 Texas Animal Health Commission is subject to the provisions
of the Texas Sunset Act, and unless continued in existence by the
legislature, will be abolished effective September 1, 1995.
The bill would continue the Texas Animal Health Commission and
make several changes to the enabling statute. Some of the
significant changes include authorizing the commission to assess
administrative penalties and standardizing exotic livestock
regulation with traditional livestock.
The amount set forth for the administration of this agency in the
General Appropriation Bill, as introduced, (FY 96 = $11,749,679;
FY 97 = $11,749,679) would be contingent upon passage of HB 2245
or similar legislation. The appropriations would be financed
from the General Revenue Fund and federal funds, and would
provide for approximately 264 employees.
The bill also authorizes the Texas Animal Health Commission to
assess administrative penalties for violations of the law or
Commission rules or orders with any amounts collected deposited
to the General Revenue Fund. Because this provision is
permissive, the Commission's actions in assessing penalties is
not known and the fiscal impact cannot be determined.
No fiscal implication to units of local government is
anticipated.
The fiscal implication to the State cannot be determined.
Source: Sunset Advisory Commission
LBB Staff: JK, JH, DF