| TO: | Honorable Harvey Hilderbran, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation, & Tourism |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB3847 by Hilderbran (Relating to a pilot project to conserve threatened and endangered species and habitat.), As Introduced |
The bill would amend the Parks and Wildlife Code to authorize a pilot program to recover endangered species and prevent other species from becoming endangered. The program consists of two components: (1) A credit system for participating landowners; and (2) an incentive program to identify priority areas where species of concern are located. The bill would direct TPWD to implement the program and compensate participating landowners at a cost not to exceed $250,000 per fiscal year. An expense of $250,000 per fiscal year represents less than 1 percent of TPWD's estimated appropriation from the Game, Fish and Water Safety Account No. 9 in fiscal year 2006 ($83.1 million). Accordingly, the fiscal implication to the State for implementation of the bill is not anticipated to be significant.
The bill would take immediate effect if the bill receives two-thirds the vote of all members; otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2007.
| Source Agencies: | 802 Parks and Wildlife Department
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| LBB Staff: | JOB, WK, ZS, TB
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