Honorable Dennis Bonnen, Chair, House Committee on Environmental Regulation
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3469 by Hochberg (Relating to the creation of the Texas Clean School Bus program.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would establish the Texas Clean School Bus (TCSB) program within the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) program operated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The bill would provide for up to 1.5 percent of the 87.5 percent of TERP Account No. 5071 funds currently used for diesel emissions reduction incentive grants to be used for grants for the TCSB program. Since the bill would allow for the reallocation of existing funding for the TCSB program, the bill would not create an additional need for TERP funds. Any administrative costs to the TCEQ could be absorbed using existing agency resources.
Local Government Impact
Local school districts could expect increased revenues, if a district would apply for an receive a Texas Clean School Bus program grant. Based on expected TERP Account No. 5071 in fiscal year 2006, up to approximately $1.7 million each fiscal year could go to school districts throughout the state for projects aimed at reducing emissions from school bus engines.
Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality