LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session May 26, 2001 TO: Honorable Bill Ratliff, Lieutenant Governor Honorable James E. "Pete" Laney, Speaker of the House FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: SB305 by Harris (Relating to the continuation and functions of the Parks and Wildlife Department.), Conference Committee Report ************************************************************************** * No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** The bill would continue the Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) for an additional twelve years and increase certain TPWD responsibilities. Further, the bill includes additional responsibilities for the State Auditor; increases oyster bed lease rates from $3 to $6 per acre, and makes other changes in the oyster bed lease program; and prohibits TPWD from accepting an advertisement that promotes the sale of tobacco in a publication sponsored or published by the Department. According to the State Auditor's Office, the provisions of the bill would result in no significant increase in operating costs or staffing. The $3 increase to the oyster bed lease rate should only generate an additional $6,981 per year to Game, Fish and Water Safety Account No. 9. TPWD estimates that the prohibition on tobacco advertising would result in a cost of $100,000. However, any revenue loss due to the prohibition on advertising that promotes the sale of tobacco is likely to be offset by advertising promoting other products or services. The bill allows TPWD to allocate at least 15 percent of bond funds authorized by the Texas Constitution to park maintenance and improvement projects for which matching private or local funds are available, and to establish a program to identify and classify boat dealers and manufacturers and to charge a fee for the program. However no additional costs or revenues are estimated to result from these provisions, because both provisions are permissive. Technology Impact None. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 116 Sunset Advisory Commission, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 308 State Auditor's Office, 802 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department LBB Staff: JK, CL, ZS