LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE
75th Regular Session
April 1, 1997
TO: Honorable Warren Chisum, Chair IN RE: House Bill No. 2705
Committee on Environmental Regulation By: Chisum
House
Austin, Texas
FROM: John Keel, Director
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on HB2705 ( Relating
to the voluntary cleanup program for solid and hazardous wastes.)
this office has detemined the following:
Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by HB2705-As Introduced
Implementing the provisions of the bill would result in a
net negative 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
The bill would amend the voluntary cleanup program to extend
eligibility for participation to responsible parties, provide
a release of further liability upon issuance of a certificate
of completion, and free all parties of future liability for
a release if an increase in risk to human health and safety
occurs at a site after issuance of a certificate of completion.
The
bill would allow sites subject to a Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission (TNRCC) permit or order to enter the voluntary cleanup
program by way of dismissal of a permit or order. The bill
would provide for a release of liability for future owners and
lenders from the date of a voluntary cleanup agreement.
Methodolgy
Implementation of the provisions of the bill could result in
a cost to the state for further cleanup of remediated sites
by TNRCC subject to more stringent requirements by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). Also, according to the TNRCC, certain
provisions of the bill relating to dismissal of permits and
qualifications for the voluntary cleanup program are inconsistent
with existing federal requirements, which could result in the
loss of delegated federal authority over industrial waste permitting
and a loss of federal grant funding, if the bill is implemented.
The agency did not provide costs associated with any federal
actions or sanctions.
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
Savings/(Cost)
from Hazardous
and Solid Waste
Remediation Fees
Account/
GR-Dedicated
0550
1998 $0
1998 (250,000)
2000 (500,000)
2001 (750,000)
2002 (1,000,000)
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
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: 582 Natural Resources Conservation Commission
LBB Staff: JK ,BB ,MS