LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 20, 2003

TO:
Honorable Robert Puente, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
 
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB1374 by Armbrister (Relating to public waters and provision for environmental flows by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.), As Engrossed



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1374, As Engrossed: a negative impact of ($84,000) 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.



Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2004 ($42,000)
2005 ($42,000)
2006 $0
2007 $0
2008 $0




Fiscal Year Probable (Cost) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1 		Probable (Cost) from
GAME,FISH,WATER SAFETY AC
9 		Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2003
2004 ($42,000) ($27,077) 1.1
2005 ($42,000) ($20,308) 1.1
2006 $0 $0 0.0
2007 $0 $0 0.0
2008 $0 $0 0.0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would create a fifteen-member study commission on water rights for instream uses. The chairs of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) would each serve on the commission. The commission would be required to conduct public hearings and study public policy implications for granting permits for instream uses of fresh water and other issues relating to the permitting of instream uses of water. The TCEQ would provide staff to the newly-created commission.

Members of the new commission would be eligible for reimbursement of travel expenses incurred by the member while conducting the business of the study commission.


Methodology

There would be some costs to each the TCEQ, TWDB and TPWD in supporting the commission and the preparation of its report.

The TCEQ and Water Development Board each expect that the bill would require $15,000 and 0.3 FTE for each agency in each fiscal year 2004 and 2005. This estimate assumes that these costs would be paid out of the General Revenue Fund. The TPWD estimates a cost of $27,077 in 2004 and $20,308 in 2005, along with 0.5 FTE. This estimate assumes TPWD costs would be paid out of the Game, Fish and Water Safety Account No. 009. It is expected that costs associated with this bill to the three agencies could be reasonably absorbed within the existing resources of each of the respective agencies.

Assuming the 12 members of the newly-created commission not representing TCEQ, TPWD and the Water Development Board would incur travel expenses of $1,000 each per year, an additional $12,000 in travel costs would be expected to be paid out of the General Revenue Fund. This estimate assumes that these costs would be paid out of existing appropriations to the TCEQ.


Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
580 Water Development Board, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality, 802 Parks and Wildlife Department
LBB Staff:
JK, CL, TL