LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE
75th Regular Session
April 6, 1997
TO: Honorable Steven Wolens, Chair IN RE: House Bill No. 980
Committee on State Affairs By: Junell
House
Austin, Texas
FROM: John Keel, Director
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on HB980 ( Relating
to the operation and oversight of a regional planning commission,
council of government, or other similar regional planning agency.)
this office has detemined the following:
Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by HB980-As Introduced
Implementing the provisions of the bill would result in a net
negative impact of $(289,994) to General Revenue Related Funds
through the biennium ending August 31, 1999.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal
basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions
of the bill.
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Local Government Code relating to the
operation and oversight of regional planning commissions, councils
of government, and similar regional planning agencies. The
bill would require the Governor to adopt rules relating to the
operation and oversight of the commissions, receipt and expenditure
of funds, annual reporting and audit requirements, and the establishment
and use of standards to measure productivity and performance
of a commission. The Governor and state agencies would be
required to provide technical assistance to a commission to
ensure compliance with the rules, requirements, and guidelines
established by the bill.
The bill would establish new reporting
requirements for regional planning commissions and establish
several restrictions on commission costs, employment, and salary
schedules. A commission would be required to submit its overall
salary schedules, including exempt positions, for approval by
the Governor no later than 45 days before the beginning of its
fiscal year.
Methodolgy
The Office of the Governor has indicated that it would need
additional resources to implement the oversight and technical
assistance provisions of the bill. Two full-time equivalent
employees (FTEs) would be needed for rule-making and financial
oversight. Other support and travel costs associated with these
two FTEs are also included.
Any savings to the state due
to improved accountability for expenditures by regional planning
commissions are not expected to be significant.
The probable fiscal implications of implementing the provisions
of the bill during each of the first five years following passage
is estimated as follows:
Five Year Impact:
Fiscal Year Probable Change in Number
Savings/(Cost) of State
from General Employees from
Revenue Fund FY 1997
0001
1998 ($153,747) 2.0
1998 (136,247) 2.0
2000 (121,247) 2.0
2001 (121,247) 2.0
2002 (121,247) 2.0
Net Impact on General Revenue Related Funds:
The probable fiscal implication to General Revenue related funds
during each of the first five years is estimated as follows:
Fiscal Year Probable Net Postive/(Negative)
General Revenue Related Funds
Funds
1998 ($153,747)
1999 (136,247)
2000 (121,247)
2001 (121,247)
2002 (121,247)
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: Agencies: 308 State Auditor's Office
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts
301 Office of the Governor
LBB Staff: JK ,JD ,RN