LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session May 5, 1999 TO: Honorable J.E. "Buster" Brown, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB 2599 by McReynolds (Relating to prescribed burning.), As Engrossed ************************************************************************** * No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * * * * The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal * * basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of * * the bill. * ************************************************************************** Technology Impact A database would need to be created to report and maintain information on certifications for prescribed burn managers, but should not require additional funding. Fiscal Analysis The bill would amend Section 1, Title 6, Natural Resource Code, by adding Chapter 153 which creates the Prescribed Burning Board, established within the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), and describes the landowner's right to conduct burns on a landowner's property. The appointed board members must be trained and certified. The board would establish an advisory board of members of the public to include at least: property owners; agriculture forestry and livestock producers; conservation interests; environmental interests; and insurance interests. Methodology A Memorandum of Understanding would need to be created between the TDA and the agencies represented on the Prescribed Burning Board for coordination of the duties described in Section 153.046. A database would be created to record certification information and continuing education credits for prescribed burn managers. The designated agency (or agencies) responsible for training would send TDA verification that the prescribed burn manager has been certified. Using attendance rosters from continuing education classes, random audits would be conducted to verify continuing education credits. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 551 Department of Agriculture, 555 Agricultural Extension Service Texas, 556 Agricultural Experiment Station Texas, 576 Texas Forest Service, 582 Natural Resource Conservation Commission, 592 Soil and Water Conservation Board, 802 Parks and Wildlife Department LBB Staff: JK, DE, TT