LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 21, 2005

TO:	Honorable Frank Madla, Chair, Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB343 by Brimer (Relating to county authority to regulate the placement of water wells in unincorporated areas of the county; providing a penalty.), As Introduced

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would authorize county commissioners courts in a county with a population of 1.4 million or more to regulate the placement of private water wells in the unincorporated area of the county. The county would be authorized to establish rules related to placement, to have the county health officer or other official designated by the county to inspect the proposed private water well site, to impose a placement review fee in the amount of not more than $50 to enforce the ordinances, and to charge a person who violates the ordinances with a Class C misdemeanor. The bill would take effect September 1, 2005.

Local Government Impact

The population requirement applies to Tarrant, Dallas, and Harris counties. The Dallas County budget office indicated costs and revenue gains that would result from implementing provisions of the bill would be insignificant. Harris County stated that it is located within the boundaries of the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District, and therefore the bill would not have a fiscal impact on the county. While no response was received from Tarrant County, it is assumed the fiscal impact would be similar to that in Dallas County.

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

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, DLBa