LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 74th Regular Session May 18, 1995 TO: Honorable Bill Sims, Chair IN RE: House BillNo. 2296, Committee on Natural Resources as engrossed Senate By: Jackson Austin, Texas FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on House Bill No. 2296 (Relating to the creation of a voluntary cleanup program for solid and hazardous wastes.) this office has determined the following: The bill would establish a voluntary cleanup program for sites contaminated with solid and hazardous wastes. Sites subject to a permit or enforcement order are excluded from program participation. A person who desires to participate in the program would be required to enter into a voluntary cleanup agreement which provides for the recovery of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission's (TNRCC) reasonable cost in the review and oversight of the person's workplan, reports and field activities attributable to the cleanup agreement. If the executive director of the TNRCC determines that the person has successfully completed a voluntary cleanup, a certificate of completion would be issued by the executive director releasing the person from all liability to the state for the cleanup of all areas covered by the certificate. The bill would require that the TNRCC annually calculate its cost to administer the voluntary cleanup program. The TNRCC estimates that 150-200 sites would be involved in the voluntary cleanup program. 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 Probable Cost Out Probable Gain to Change in Year of Other Funds Other Funds Number of State Employees from FY 1995 1996 $856,484 $956,484 15.0 1997 828,984 828,984 15.0 1998 828,984 828,984 15.0 1999 828,984 828,984 15.0 2000 828,984 828,984 15.0 Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as the provisions of the bill are in effect. No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source: Natural Resource Conservation Commission LBB Staff: JK, JB, DF