LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 74th Regular Session February 26, 1995 TO: Honorable Bill Sims, Chair IN RE: Senate Bill No. 251 Committee on Natural Resources By: Bivins Senate Austin, Texas FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on Senate Bill No. 251 (Relating to the handling and marketing of citrus fruits and vegetables and to the produce recovery fund.) 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 amend Sections 101, 102, and 103 of the Texas Agriculture Code relating to the Agricultural Protective Act. These sections relate to the licensing and regulation of dealers, merchants, and retailers who buy, sell, or handle Texas grown fruits, vegetables, nuts, and citrus, as well as to the Produce Recovery Fund which provides protection for producers and dealers who sell their produce on credit. The bill would consolidate certain licensing categories and eliminate others. The fee for a consolidated license would be increased to $100 from $75. Citrus and vegetable transporting and buying agent card fees would also be increased. The bill would redirect revenue from these fees to the Produce Recovery Fund from the General Revenue Fund . In addition, the bill would require that 100 percent, rather than 50 percent, of fines assessed against citrus and vegetable dealers be deposited into the Produce Recovery Fund. The General Revenue Fund would lose the 50 percent currently being deposited. The Produce Recovery Fund Fee would be reduced to an amount not to exceed $45. This provision would result in a loss of revenue to the Produce Recovery Fund. 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 Revenue Probable Revenue Year Loss from General Loss to the Revenue Fund 001 Produce Recovery Fund 974 1996 $69,275 $29,085 1997 69,275 29,085 1998 69,275 29,085 1999 69,275 29,085 2000 69,275 29,085 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: Comptroller of Public Accounts, Department of Agriculture LBB Staff: JK, JH, DF