LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 74th Regular Session April 28, 1995 TO: Honorable Robert M. Saunders, Chair IN RE: Committee Substitute Committee on Land and Resource for House Management Bill No. 3226 House of Representatives Austin, Texas FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on House Bill No. 3226 (relating to protection of coastal resources) this office has determined the following: The bill would amend Chapter 33 of the Natural Resources Code, relating to the implementation of a coastal management plan. The bill amends and clarifies elements of the Coastal Management Program and would provide exclusive definitions of coastal natural resources as well as other specific elements of the program. The bill would establish the coastal management program as an ongoing, comprehensive program that would contain the elements required for approval under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act. The bill also defines membership in the Coastal Coordination Council (CCC), specifically removing the attorney general as a member and adding a representative of the Texas Transportation Commission, a member of the Soil and Water Conservation Board, a member of the Texas Water Development Board, and additional public members, including a representative of agriculture, appointed by the Governor. The CCC would be subject to the sunset statute and would be abolished in four years unless continued as provided by that act. The bill would define and narrow the boundaries of the coastal area and would set criteria and thresholds for consistency review of agency actions affecting coastal areas. It would also establish a procedure for Council review of agencies' proposed actions in the coastal area. The bill would include provisions requiring the Council to approve policies for the coastal management program and could provide for enforceability of consistency with CCC policies. The bill would eliminate a provision establishing voluntary special areas of the coast with goals and policies applicable only to those areas. The General Land Office indicates that with adequate enforceability provisions included, the program could be eligible for up to $2.4 million in federal funding each year. However, such a gain cannot be assured since it would depend upon the program's being submitted to and approved by the relevant federal agency. No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The fiscal implication to units of local government cannot be determined. Source: General Land Office and Veterans' Land Board LBB Staff: JK, KW, DF