Honorable Robert Puente, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1657 by Hope (Relating to the administration by the Texas Water Development Board of certain water-related programs financed by federal funds. ), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1657, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: an impact of $0 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.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2006
$0
2007
$0
2008
$0
2009
$0
2010
$0
Fiscal Year
Probable (Cost) from FEDERAL FUNDS 555
Probable Revenue Gain from FEDERAL FUNDS 555
2006
($176,945)
$176,945
2007
($128,620)
$128,620
2008
($128,620)
$128,620
2009
$0
$0
2010
$0
$0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would broaden the Water Development Board's authority to receive federal assistance from any federal agency for water supply projects, treatment works, or structural or nonstructural flood control measures. The bill would allow the agency to administer certain types of grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for water and wastewater projects. This authority would include the authority to receive and administer grants and loans awarded to local governments.
Methodology
The Water Development Board would have the ability to request reimbursement of expenses for up to 3 percent of the total amount of an award to a local government to cover related administrative costs. Assuming the agency would oversee 20 projects involving Federal Fund awards to local governments totaling $14 million over three years, it is estimated that the agency could draw down $434,185 in Federal Funds over the three-year period. These funds would be used to pay the salary expenses of two FTEs, as well as related operating and overhead costs. Because the Water Development Board currently operates well below its FTE cap, no increase to that cap is expected to be needed.
Local Government Impact
This estimate assumes that three local governments would receive a combined total of $14 million in additional funds from the EPA to implement projects over the 2006-08 period. No additional costs to these local governments are expected.