LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
March 26, 2001
TO: Honorable Warren Chisum, Chair, House Committee on
Environmental Regulation
FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB1227 by Hamric (Relating to the creation of incentives
by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission for
regulated entities to install air pollution monitoring
devices linked to the commission's data system.), As
Introduced
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* Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for *
* HB1227, As Introduced: positive impact of $0 through the biennium *
* ending August 31, 2003. *
* *
* 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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General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:
****************************************************
* Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) *
* Impact to General Revenue Related *
* Funds *
* 2002 $0 *
* 2003 0 *
* 2004 0 *
* 2005 0 *
* 2006 0 *
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All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
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*Fiscal Probable Savings/(Cost) from Change in Number of State *
* Year Clean Air Account/ GR-Dedicated Employees from FY 2001 *
* 0151 *
* 2002 $(303,163) 3.0 *
* 2003 (264,163) 3.0 *
* 2004 (264,163) 3.0 *
* 2005 (264,163) 3.0 *
* 2006 (264,163) 3.0 *
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Technology Impact
All costs in this estimate relate to technology acquisition and support.
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
(TNRCC) to offer incentives to regulated entities that install fenceline
and smokestack air pollution monitoring devices to link the devices to
the TNRCC's data system. The incentives could include on-site technical
assistance, expedited permitting, reduced reporting and record keeping
requirements and reduced inspections.
Methodology
To link regulated entities' live data monitors to the TNRCC's data
system, MeteoStar, the system would require upgrading, including
additional hub computers and related equipment. It is estimated that such
equipment would cost $30,000 in fiscal year 2002, with recurring costs
of $15,000 in 2003-2006.
It is estimated that an additional 3 FTEs would be required to: provide
on-site technical assistance to regulated entities linking to the
TNRCC's data system; review and approve quality assurance project plans,
procure and deploy equipment and service necessary to upgrade the
MeteoStar infrastructure; and handle anticipated increases in data
workload.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is
anticipated.
Source Agencies: 582 Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
LBB Staff: JK, CL, TL