LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                                   Austin, Texas
         
                                   FISCAL NOTE
                               75th Regular Session
         
                                  May 24, 1997
         
         
      TO: Honorable James E. "Pete" Laney            IN RE:  House Bill No. 2025, As Passed 2nd House
          Speaker of the House                Pickett
          House of Representatives
          Austin, Texas
         
         
         
         
         FROM:  John Keel, Director    
         
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on HB2025 ( relating 
to the regulation of the sale and use of certain refrigerants; 
providing a criminal penalty.) this office has detemined the 
following:
         
         Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by HB2025-As Passed 2nd House
         
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
         

         
 
          
This bill amends Section 3, subsection (m) of the Air Conditioning 
and Refrigeration Contractors Law (Article 8861, V.T.C.S.) by 
requiring those who are exempt from licensing requirements to 
obtain a certificate of registration from the Department of 
Licensing and Regulation.  This certificate would be required 
as evidence when purchasing refrigerants or equipment  containing 
a refrigerant.  The bill also provides penalties for violations 
of its provisions.

It is assumed that the department will 
generate sufficient fees to offset any costs for tracking exemptions 
made available under this bill.  The department also anticipates 
costs that would be offset by additional revenue include increases 
in air conditioning exam and application administration resulting 
from the voluntary compliance provision in the bill.  It is 
also assumed that any one-time surges in workload occurring 
as a result of this bill would be addressed with current licensing 
and examination staff as well as the use of temporary employees.

No 
significant fiscal implication to units of local government 
is anticipated.  Local governments that currently generate revenue 
from offering air conditioning and refrigeration exemption certificate 
registrations may experience decreases as the state certificates 
become a requirement.
          
   Source:            Agencies:   452   Department of Licensing and Regulation
                                         
                      LBB Staff:   JK ,TH ,RA