LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                                   Austin, Texas
         
                                   FISCAL NOTE
                               75th Regular Session
         
                                  March 4, 1997
         
         
      TO: Honorable Warren Chisum, Chair            IN RE:  House Bill No. 1423
          Committee on Environmental Regulation                              By: Cuellar
          House
          Austin, Texas
         
         
         
         
         FROM:  John Keel, Director    
         
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on HB1423 ( Relating 
to the powers and duties of certain constables to enforce environmental 
laws affecting the Rio Grande.) this office has detemined the 
following:
         
         Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by HB1423-As Introduced
         

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
         

         
 
          
This bill would allow counties located along the Rio Grande 
to require constables to enforce environmental laws and issue 
citations for offenses.

Five counties were contacted to determine 
the potential fiscal implications of this bill.  El Paso, Webb 
and Val Verde Counties reported that the expanding the duties 
of constables to include environmental enforcement as prescribed 
by this bill would have no fiscal impact or no significant fiscal 
impact.

Brewster County estimates that granting constables 
enforcement powers would cost an initial $50,000 to cover costs 
associated with the acquisition of vehicles for constables to 
access areas adjacent to the river, training, and testing.  
After initial costs, the county estimates annual expenditures 
of $30,000.  Brewster County reports that these costs are significant, 
given a total annual budget of approximately $2 million.

Cameron 
County estimates that implementing the provisions of this bill 
would cost $5,000 to $10,000 per year for each of the County's 
eight constable precincts (total 49 officers).  Cameron County 
would thus anticipate increased costs of $40,000 to $80,000 
per year. 
          
   Source:            Agencies:   582   Natural Resources Conservation Commission
                                         302   Office of the Attorney General
                                         Brewster County
                                         Cameron County
                                         El Paso County
                                         Val Verde County
                                         Webb County
                      LBB Staff:   JK ,BB ,TL