LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 9, 2007

TO:
Honorable Harvey Hilderbran, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation, & Tourism
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB1016 by Hopson (Relating to allowing recreational metal detecting in designated areas of state parks.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1016, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($460,800) through the biennium ending August 31, 2009.

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
2008 ($230,400)
2009 ($230,400)
2010 $0
2011 $0
2012 $0




Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1
2008 ($230,400)
2009 ($230,400)
2010 $0
2011 $0
2012 $0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend the Parks and Wildlife Code to allow recreational metal detecting in designated areas of state parks subject to rules adopted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. The bill would specify that addition of the new language would not authorize removal of any objects subject to the Natural Resources Code (Antiquities Code). The bill would take effect September 1, 2008.


Methodology

This estimate assumes the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) would incur additional costs to conduct archeological surveys to ensure appropriate areas are designated for metal detecting.  This estimate assumes:  (1) metal detecting will not be allowed on any historical sites or leased parks, leaving a total of 64 parks that would be impacted by the bill. Surveys for half of the parks would be initiated in fiscal year 2008 and the remainder in fiscal year 2009; (2) surveys will cover an average of 50 acres per park; (3) current market rate for intensive archeological surveys is $144/acre.  Contracted surveys in this estimate would cost $230,400 in fiscal year 2008 and fiscal year 2009.  To the extent the bill would result in additional park revenue from visitors engaged in metal detecting who otherwise would not have visited a state park, any positive fiscal implication to the State is not anticipated to be significant.

This estimate assumes existing park staff in each of the surveyed parks could supervise the activities of persons engaged in recreational metal detecting (to ensure they remain within designated areas and to check that individuals are not leaving the area/park with items of archeological significance).


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
802 Parks and Wildlife Department
LBB Staff:
JOB, WK, ZS, TB