LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 74th Regular Session April 4, 1995 TO: Honorable Bob Hunter, Chair IN RE: Senate BillNo. 365, Committee on State, Federal, & as engrossed International Relations By: Moncrief House of Representatives Austin, Texas FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on Senate Bill No. 365 (relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Historical Commission and to the abolition of the Antiquities Committee and the transfer of the committee's functions to the commission) 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 continue the Texas Historical Commission and make several changes to the enabling statute. Significant changes include abolishing the Antiquities Committee and transferring administration of the Antiquities Code of Texas to the Texas Historical Commission and authorizing local property tax exemptions for privately-owned archeological sites. The amount recommended for the administration of this agency in the General Appropriation Act, as introduced, (FY96 = $4,132,691; FY97 = $3,919,192 ) would be contingent upon passage of S.B. 365 or similar legislation. The appropriations would be financed from General Revenue, Federal Funds, Appropriated Receipts, and Interagency Contracts and would provide for approximately 89 employees. The provisions of the bill would result in a small savings to the state from the elimination of direct costs for the Antiquities Committee; however the amount is not expected to be significant. The provision of the bill authorizing local taxing authorities to provide property tax exemptions for privately-owned archeological sites could result in a revenue loss to local governments if they choose to provide such exemptions. However, the fiscal impact cannot be determined because the number of local governments that may offer this exemption is not known. No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The fiscal implication to units of local government cannot be determined. Source: Sunset Advisory Commission, Historical Commission LBB Staff: JK, KW, DF