LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE
75th Regular Session
February 25, 1997
TO: Honorable David Counts, Chair IN RE: House Bill No. 1016
Committee on Natural Resources By: Puente
House
Austin, Texas
FROM: John Keel, Director
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on HB1016 ( Relating
to fees imposed for certain plans subject to Texas Natural Resource
Conservation Commission approval under the commission's rules
for the protection of the Edwards Aquifer.) this office has
detemined the following:
Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by HB1016-As Introduced
Implementing the provisions of the bill would result in a
net impact of $0 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
This bill would allow an increase, from $2,000 to $5,000, in
the maximum fee that the Texas Natural Resources Conservation
Commission (TNRCC) could impose for the review and approval
of applications for real estate development over the Edwards
Aquifer. The bill would also create a special dedicated account
and require that all fees collected be deposited in that account
for Edwards Aquifer programs only.
Methodolgy
The existing cap of $2,000 per application has brought in an
estimated annual revenue of $622,000 to the TNRCC Water Quality
Fund, whereas TNRCC's current annual program costs are $911,250.
By raising the cap for the application fee to $5,000, this
bill would allow for recovery of program costs that TNRCC currently
incurs. TNRCC estimates annual revenues at $991,300.
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 Revenue Probable Probable Revenue Probable Change in Number
Gain/(Loss) from Savings/(Cost) Gain/(Loss) from Savings/(Cost) of State
Water Quality from Water New - Edwards from New - Employees from
Account/ Quality Account/ Aquifer Account Edwards Aquifer FY 1997
GR-Dedicated GR-Dedicated Account
0153 0153 NEW-OTH NEW-OTH
1998 ($622,000) $911,250 $991,300 ($911,250) 0.0
1998 (622,000) 911,250 991,300 (911,250) 0.0
2000 (622,000) 911,250 991,300 (911,250) 0.0
2001 (622,000) 911,250 991,300 (911,250) 0.0
2002 (622,000) 911,250 991,300 (911,250) 0.0
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 $0
1999 0
2000 0
2001 0
2002 0
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government
is anticipated. The increase in the maximum fee amount for
undertaking development over the Edwards Aquifer will not have
a significant fiscal implication for local governments since
the majority of the applicants for development of real estate
over the Edwards Aquifer are private individuals and businesses.
Source: Agencies: 582 Natural Resources Conservation Commission
LBB Staff: JK ,BB ,NT