LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 15, 2005

TO:	Honorable Kenneth Armbrister, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2370 by McReynolds (Relating to the regulation of poultry facilities.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would define a "liquid waste handling system" as one in which fresh water or wastewater is used for the transportation and land application of waste. The bill would exempt poultry operations that do not use a liquid waste handling system from certain permitting requirements and in the designation of water quality protection zones. As a result, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) reports that dry litter poultry operations located in protection zones could obtain authorization under a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) general permit instead of an individual permit.

The bill would provide for the Soil and Water Conservation Board to certify a water quality management plan for poultry operations that are required to obtain a permit or authorization from  the TCEQ and that do not use a liquid waste handling system. Any costs in implementing the bill are expected to be absorbed within the respective agency's current budget.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

582 Commission on Environmental Quality, 592 Soil and Water Conservation Board

LBB Staff:

JOB, WK, ZS, TL