LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session
  
                               May 12, 1999
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Chris Harris, Chair, Senate Committee on
               Administration
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  HB3442 by Isett (relating to a Texas Historical
               Commission program for the identification and
               preservation of abandoned cemeteries), As Engrossed
  
**************************************************************************
*  Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for    *
*  HB3442, As Engrossed:  negative impact of $(131,208) through the      *
*  biennium ending August 31, 2001.                                      *
*                                                                        *
*  The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal      *
*  basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of    *
*  the bill.                                                             *
**************************************************************************
  
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:
  
          ****************************************************
          *  Fiscal Year  Probable Net Positive/(Negative)   *
          *               Impact to General Revenue Related  *
          *                             Funds                *
          *       2000                            $(67,604)  *
          *       2001                             (63,604)  *
          *       2002                             (63,604)  *
          *       2003                             (81,487)  *
          *       2004                             (81,487)  *
          ****************************************************
  
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
  
***************************************************************************
*Fiscal    Probable Savings/(Cost) from     Change in Number of State     *
* Year         General Revenue Fund           Employees from FY 1999      *
*                      0001                                               *
*  2000                         $(67,604)                             2.0 *
*  2001                          (63,604)                             2.0 *
*  2002                          (63,604)                             2.0 *
*  2003                          (81,487)                             2.5 *
*  2004                          (81,487)                             2.5 *
***************************************************************************
  
Technology Impact
  
The Historical Commission would require two additional computer systems.
  
  
Fiscal Analysis
  
The bill would require the Texas Historical Commission (THC) to establish
a program to identify and preserve abandoned cemeteries across the
state.
  
  
Methodology
  
Cost estimates are based the THD's experience in operating a program
similar to the one required by the bill.  The THC anticipates that after
an initial pilot project, which would last approximately three years, the
program would be expanded state-wide. The THC would initially require
two additional staff in order to locate and train volunteers to preserve
historic cemeteries.  As the program is expanded to cover the entire
state, THD would require an additional part-time employee.  Other
anticipated costs include travel, equipment, and those associated with
development and distribution of promotional materials.

The fiscal note assumes:  (1) that the program would be heavily
volunteer-based and that program volunteers would be doing actual
preservation work such as cleaning, repairs, and inventory of the
abandoned cemeteries; and (2) THC's main focus would be to coordinate
and promote the program, and to train volunteers.
  
  
Local Government Impact
  
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
  
  
Source Agencies:   808   Historical Commission
LBB Staff:         JK, BB, TH, JH