LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 14, 2003

TO:	Honorable Kenneth Armbrister, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2847 by Farabee (Relating to the transfer of the powers, duties, and functions under the Texas Aggregate Quarry and Pit Safety Act from the railroad commission to the department of transportation.), As Engrossed

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2847, As Engrossed: a positive impact of $102,000 through the biennium ending August 31, 2005.

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
2004	$51,000
2005	$51,000
2006	$51,000
2007	$51,000
2008	$51,000

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Savings from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1	Probable (Cost) from STATE HIGHWAY FUND 6
2004	$51,000	($51,000)
2005	$51,000	($51,000)
2006	$51,000	($51,000)
2007	$51,000	($51,000)
2008	$51,000	($51,000)

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would transfer all functions and resources associated with the Texas Quarry and Pit Safety Act from the Railroad Commission to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

Methodology

According to the Railroad Commission, the total cost of the existing quarry and pit safety program is $51,000 per year, and one FTE is dedicated to the program. TxDOT estimates that if it were responsible for the program, it would require $108,069 per year. However, this estimate assumes that TxDOT could support the quarry and pit safety program with the same level of resources the Railroad Commission currently uses.

This estimate assumes that costs of the quarry and pit safety program, currently paid using General Revenue, would be paid out of the State Highway Fund No. 6 upon transfer to TxDOT.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

601 Department of Transportation

LBB Staff:

JK, CL, WP, DLBa, MW, TL