LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
April 3, 2001
TO: Honorable Edmund Kuempel, Chair, House Committee on State
Recreational Resources
FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB2702 by Hilderbran (Relating to regulating the noise
level of motorboats.), As Introduced
**************************************************************************
* Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for *
* HB2702, 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. *
**************************************************************************
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 *
****************************************************
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
***************************************************************************
*Fiscal Probable Savings/(Cost) from Change in Number of State *
* Year Game, Fish and Water Safety Employees from FY 2001 *
* Account/ GR-Dedicated *
* 0009 *
* 2002 $(561,450) 1.0 *
* 2003 (71,450) 1.0 *
* 2004 (71,450) 1.0 *
* 2005 (71,450) 1.0 *
* 2006 (93,450) 1.0 *
***************************************************************************
Technology Impact
The bill would require calibrated noise measuring devices and a
calibration instrument.
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require that no person may operate a motorboat or personal
watercraft in a manner that creates a noise level that exceeds 92
decibels.
Methodology
According to Parks and Wildlife, enforcement of the law would require the
purchase of calibrated noise measuring devices for all game wardens
(approximately $900 each) and a calibration instrument for each of the
districts (approximately $1,300 each).
Training in the calibration and operation of these devices for all game
wardens would be required to ensure admissibility as evidence in court
cases. One full-time FTE would be required to ensure training and
standards of calibration of instruments are met. First year costs
include one FTE (Lt. Game Warden at a cost of $49,000 plus $14,000 in
benefits per year), ongoing operating costs ($6,250 per year), travel
($2,200 per year) and equipment costs ($490,000) estimated at $561,450.
FY2003 - FY2006 costs include the FTE, ongoing operating costs and some
replacement equipment.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is
anticipated. Local law enforcement agencies in Galveston and Travis
counties indicated that they have a limited number of officers
patrolling water ways. They would purchase a small number of
calibration instruments per department.
Source Agencies: 802 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
LBB Staff: JK, CL, SK, DW