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