Honorable Harvey Hilderbran, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation, & Tourism
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3910 by Burnam (Relating to warning signs for fish and shellfish consumption advisories or bans. ), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code to require the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to keep warning signs written in two major languages at fishing piers for saltwater and every public boat ramp leading to fresh water which has mercury contamination (or other contamination) and is subject to fish or shellfish consumption advisory or ban. The bill would require DSHS to start placing the warning signs as soon as possible, but no later than January 1, 2008.
This estimate assumes an annual need of 260 to 420 warning signs at an average cost of $70.25 per sign for a range of $18,265 to $29,505 in annual expenses for DSHS. According to the DSHS, at least one staff person would be needed to post and maintain signs; however, to the extent the bill would require DSHS to setup and maintain warning signs, this estimate assumes DSHS could absorb costs of the new requirement within existing resources and no significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would take effect September 1, 2007.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
537 State Health Services, Department of, 802 Parks and Wildlife Department