LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
  
                              April 1, 2001
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Rene Oliveira, Chair, House Committee on Ways &
               Means
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  HB2551  by Uher (Relating to an exemption from ad valorem
               taxation of boats and other equipment used primarily in
               the commercial taking or production of fish, shrimp,
               shellfish, and other marine life as food for human
               consumption.), As Introduced
  
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*  No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.                    *
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The bill would amend add Section 11.162 to the Tax Code to exempt from
property taxation boats not exceeding 100 feet in length and other
equipment used primarily in the commercial taking or production of fish,
shrimp, shellfish, or other marine life as food for human consumption.

The bill would take effect January 1, 2002, contingent on passage of a
constitutional amendment at the November 6, 2001 general election. 

A self-enacting constitutional amendment, such as HJR 80, which this bill
could implement, would cause revenue losses to taxing units that had
qualified property that would be subject to this new exemption.  Because
the bill would not become effective without a constitutional amendment,
and because HJR 80 would be self-enacting, this bill would have no
fiscal impact on the state or units of local government.  However, this
bill provides for certain eligibility limitations that are allowed under
the provisions of HJR 80.
  
Local Government Impact
  
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
  
  
Source Agencies:   304   Comptroller of Public Accounts
LBB Staff:         JK, SD, WP, BR