LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session
  
                              March 27, 1999
  
  
          TO:  Honorable David Swinford, Chair, House Committee on
               Agriculture & Livestock
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  HB2599 by McReynolds (Relating to prescribed burning.),
               As Introduced
  
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*  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.                                                             *
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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:   
LBB Staff:         JK, DE, TT