LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                          Austin, Texas

                           FISCAL NOTE
                       74th Regular Session

                          March 26, 1995



 TO:     Honorable Bill Sims, Chair             IN RE:  Senate Bill No. 12
         Committee on Natural Resources                 By: Montford
         Senate
         Austin, Texas







FROM: John Keel, Director

In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on Senate Bill No.
12 (Relating to administrative hearings for the Texas Natural
Resource Conservation Commission provided by the State Office of
Administrative Hearings.) this office has determined the
following:

The bill would transfer the functions of the Texas Natural
Resource Conservation Commission's (TNRCC) Office of Hearing
Examiners to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH)
effective September 1, 1995.

The transfer of the functions of the Office of Hearing Examiners
to the SOAH would result in a reduction in costs to the TNRCC.
However, because there would be a corresponding increase in costs
for the SOAH due to the transfer, there is no net overall impact
to the state, 

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  to  Probable Savings
          Year       SOAH Out of      to TNRCC  From 
                   General Revenue   General Revenue 
                      Fund 001           Fund 001    
                                                     
                                                     
                                                     

         1996                $1,153,572            $1,153,572

         1997                 1,153,572             1,153,572
         1998                 1,153,572             1,153,572

         1999                 1,153,572             1,153,572

         2000                 1,153,572             1,153,572



       Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as the
provisions of the bill are in effect.

No fiscal implication to the State or units of local government 
is anticipated.


Source:   State Office of Administrative Hearings, Natural
Resource Conservation Commission
          LBB Staff: JK, JB, DF