LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 20, 2007

TO:	Honorable Robert Puente, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1657 by Puente (Relating to the protection and use of intellectual property by the executive administrator of the Texas Water Development Board.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill includes language which would give the Executive Administrator of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) the power to obtain certain intellectual property rights.  The agency would like the ability to pursue intellectual property rights, such as a copyright or trademarks for items such as publications, logos and slogans associated with agency research, marketing and public outreach programs, and events celebrating the agency’s 50^th anniversary.  The TWDB estimates that the agency might need as much as $15,000 per year to contract with an intellectual property attorney to handle the various copyrights, trademarks or patents the agency may pursue. It is anticipated that these costs could be absorbed within existing agency resources.  

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

580 Water Development Board

LBB Staff:

JOB, WK, ZS, JF