LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 22, 2005

TO:	Honorable Todd Staples, Chair, Senate Committee on Transportation & Homeland Security
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB328 by Staples (Relating to the protection of public water supplies.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require public drinking water owners, agents, managers, operators or other persons in charge of a water system to immediately notify the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) of a water system security breach, act of terrorism, or theft relating to the water system or its property. The TCEQ reports that it could incur some cost increases because it would be required to expand its after-hour answering service. However, such costs are expected to be minimal.

The bill would take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote in both houses; otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2005.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

580 Water Development Board, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality

LBB Staff:

JOB, SR, ZS, TL