LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 75th Regular Session April 17, 1997 TO: Honorable J.E. "Buster" Brown, Chair IN RE: Senate Bill No. 587 Committee on Natural Resources By: Barrientos Senate Austin, Texas FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on SB587 ( Relating to water safety; providing penalties.) this office has detemined the following: Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by SB587-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 establish a boater safety education program. In addition, the bill would require law enforcement officers to receive training and be certified as marine safety enforcement officers. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) estimates that the fiscal impact of the Boater Safety Education program would be a net cost to the Game, Fish and Water Safety Account (009) of $67,442, including an additional 4 FTEs, for the 1998-99 biennium. The marine safety enforcement officers certification would have no fiscal impact because the Parks and Wildlife Commission would be able to set fees to cover the costs of training and certification. The agency estimates the need for one additional FTE to implement the marine safety enforcement officers training and certification program. Methodolgy TPWD estimated costs based on historical data for the hunter education program, which involves education and certification of hunters similar to the type the bill would require for boaters. 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 Game, Fish Game, Fish and Employees from and Water Safety Water Safety FY 1997 Account Account 0009 0009 1998 ($433,736) $382,525 5.0 1998 (346,736) 320,525 5.0 2000 (346,736) 320,525 5.0 2001 (346,736) 320,525 5.0 2002 (346,736) 320,525 5.0 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 significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source: Agencies: 802 Parks and Wildlife Department LBB Staff: JK ,BB ,DM