LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 7, 2005

TO:	Honorable Dennis Bonnen, Chair, House Committee on Environmental Regulation
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1563 by Chavez (Relating to the establishment of a program by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for the inspection of land vehicles transporting hazardous waste from Mexico into this state.), As Introduced

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1563, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($1,940,954) through the biennium ending August 31, 2007.

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
2006	($1,150,677)
2007	($790,277)
2008	($790,277)
2009	($790,277)
2010	($790,277)

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Savings/(Cost) from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1	Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2005
2006	($1,150,677)	12.0
2007	($790,277)	12.0
2008	($790,277)	12.0
2009	($790,277)	12.0
2010	($790,277)	12.0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to establish a program for inspecting land vehicles transporting hazardous waste into Texas from Mexico for treatment, storage or disposal purposes. It also would require that the TCEQ conduct inspections at rail crossings from Mexico into Texas, and it would allow the agency to hire peace officers as inspectors.

Methodology

This estimate assumes the TCEQ would establish an inspection program at four bridge crossings and six rail crossings, and that these inspection operations would require 12 additional FTEs. Included in the cost estimate for fiscal year 2006 are one-time costs of $360,400 to purchase vehicles, provide for training costs, and purchase computers and furniture. Since the bill does not provide a source of funding for the inspections, it is assumed that General Revenue would be needed to pay all costs of the program.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

302 Office of the Attorney General, 405 Department of Public Safety, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality, 601 Department of Transportation

LBB Staff:

JOB, WK, ZS, TL, KJG