LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session March 29, 2001 TO: Honorable Tom Ramsay, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB2744 by Carter (Relating to emergency services and rural fire prevention districts.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted ************************************************************************** * No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** The bill would limit the tax rate a county, other than Harris County, could impose for creating and operating an emergency services or rural fire prevention district to no more than $0.10 on each $100 of the taxable value of property taxable by the district. An election would be required to be held and proposal approved before the tax rate could be raised and would be limited to the $0.10 on each $100 ceiling. (Harris County is limited to $0.03 on each $100 taxable value of applicable property.) The bill would also allow for the transfer of territory between emergency services and rural fire prevention districts, would amend limitations on indebtedness of districts, and allow for a district board to borrow money and make other financial arrangements to purchase real property. Local Government Impact The State Firemen's and Fire Marshal's Association of Texas was contacted regarding the fiscal impact to the districts. No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: LBB Staff: JK, DB