LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE
75th Regular Session
April 8, 1997
TO: Honorable Steve Holzheauser, Chair IN RE: House Bill No. 3162
Committee on Energy Resources By: Brimer
House
Austin, Texas
FROM: John Keel, Director
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on HB3162 ( Relating
to the payment of a fee by commercial users to the Railroad
Commission of Texas for the purchase of oil and gas data maintained
in digital formats.) this office has detemined the following:
Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by HB3162-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
The bill would allow the Railroad Commission to charge fees
to digitize data, and develop, administer, enhance, disseminate,
and sustain access to digital data which would be used by commercial
oil and gas users. The bill would provide that from these fees,
the commission would pay the costs of developing and providing
the digital data. The bill would also define a commercial user.
Methodolgy
According to the Railroad Commission, there would be costs associated
with computer hardware maintenance, software maintenance, and
staff support. Computer hardware maintenance and telecommunications
services are estimated at $120,000 the first year and $264,000
each year thereafter. The commission estimates that five FTEs
would be required the first year, 6.5 the next, and seven the
following years.
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 Probable Revenue Change in Number
Savings/(Cost) Gain/(Loss) from of State
from General General Revenue Employees from
Revenue Fund Fund FY 1997
0001 0001
1998 ($352,481) $352,481 5.0
1998 (517,833) 517,833 6.5
2000 (568,509) 568,509 7.0
2001 (579,509) 579,509 7.0
2002 (489,509) 489,509 7.0
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
Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as
the provisions of the bill are in effect.
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source: Agencies: 455 Railroad Commission
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts
LBB Staff: JK ,BB ,JH