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