LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE
75th Regular Session
April 26, 1997
TO: Honorable Edmund Kuempel, Chair IN RE: Senate Bill No. 920, As Engrossed
Committee on State Recreational Resources By: Brown
House
Austin, Texas
FROM: John Keel, Director
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on SB920 ( Relating
to the regulation of certain commercial crab fishing.) this
office has detemined the following:
Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by SB920-As Engrossed
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. No significant fiscal implication to the state
is anticipated.
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would establish a license management program for commercial
crab fishery operations. The bill would authorize the Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department to issue a single license at a
fee of $500 for commercial crab fishing. The Department would
also be authorized to buy back licenses to manage the fishery.
Methodolgy
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department estimates that 400 fishermen
would be affected by the license provisions of the bill. Projected
annual revenue under the proposed $500 license fee is $200,000;
annual revenue under current license fees is $146,000. Therefore,
the Department estimates an annual gain to the Game, Fish and
Water Safety Account 009 of $54,000, beginning in fiscal year
1999.
The Department estimates an annual cost of $10,000
to administer the license and buyback program. In addition
the Department estimates that, beginning in fiscal year 1999,
amounts allocated to buy back commercial crab licenses would
cost $40,000 per year.
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 Revenue Probable Change in Number
Gain/(Loss) from Savings/(Cost) of State
Game, Fish and from Game, Fish Employees from
Water Safety and Water Safety FY 1997
Account Account
0009 0009
1998 $0 ($10,000) 0.0
1998 54,000 (50,000) 0.0
2000 54,000 (50,000) 0.0
2001 54,000 (50,000) 0.0
2002 54,000 (50,000) 0.0
Net Impact on General Revenue Related Funds:
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: 802 Parks and Wildlife Department
LBB Staff: JK ,BB ,DM