LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 22, 2003

TO:	Honorable Kenneth Armbrister, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB1914 by Wentworth (Relating to powers and duties of the Edwards Aquifer Authority to manage and protect the Edwards Aquifer, the board of directors of the Edwards Aquifer Authority, and revenue bonding authority.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend statutes related to the Edwards Aquifer Authority. The bill would take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in each house; otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2003.

The Edwards Aquifer Authority identified sections of the bill that would have a fiscal impact on the authority, some of which would provide a savings and others that would result in increased costs. Overall, the fiscal impact for the Edwards Aquifer Authority would be positive, with the savings and revenue gains outweighing any new costs or revenue losses.

The City of San Antonio also identified costs and savings within the bill, but the costs would be higher than the savings, increasing costs by about 1½ percent for maintenance and operations related to the city's water functions.

Local Government Impact

The fiscal impact would vary by local government unit and appears it would be generally positive for the Edwards Aquifer Authority and possibly negative or neutral for users of the aquifer.

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JK, CL, JB, DLBa