| TO: | Honorable David Swinford, Chair, House Committee on Government Reform |
| FROM: | John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB3058 by Allen (Relating to requiring state agencies to lease excess land for hunting, fishing, or agricultural purposes.), As Introduced |
The bill would require all state agencies to lease excess land for hunting, fishing, or agricultural purposes. The bill would take effect September 1, 2003.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) does not anticipate a fiscal impact due to passage of the bill. All land management activities on TPWD lands are directed toward stewardship of the land and the occuring resources. Hunting and fishing is permitted through existing programs on all lands that will support such programs. Agricultural leases, especially grazing leases, are already in effect when application of specific agricultural practices are a desired component of the habitat management strategy for the site.
The General Land Office reports that out of a total 724,413 surface acres of Permanent School Fund land, 606,878 is currently leased for hunting (325,000 acres) and agricultural (281,878) purposes. During fiscal year 2002, approximately $800,000 was generated from a similar number of leases. It is estimated that the remaining 117,535 acres would not generate a significant amount of revenue.
The Texas Department of Transportation indicates that the agency has little "excess" property, therefore there would be no significant fiscal impact to the agency due to passage of the legislation.
| Source Agencies: | 305 General Land Office and Veterans' Land Board, 601 Department of Transportation, 802 Parks and Wildlife Department
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| LBB Staff: | JK, GO, MS
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