| TO: | 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 mercury contamination in fish and shellfish.), As Introduced |
The bill would amend the Parks and Wildlife Code to require the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) 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 consumption advisory or ban in accordance to Chapter 436, Health and Safety Code. The bill would require TPWD to start placing the warning signs as soon as possible, but no later than January 1, 2008.
This estimate assumes a total annual cost of $28,680 to setup and maintain the warning signs, assuming a need for signs at 478 boat ramps where mercury or other contamination warnings will be necessary. This estimate assumes all boat ramps for coastal waters (278) plus a portion of boat ramps for inland waters (100) would need signs costing $30 each and replaced semi-annually (478 boat ramps with signs at $30 each replaced twice a year = $28,680). To the extent the bill would require TPWD to setup and maintain warning signs, this estimate assumes TWPD 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.
| Source Agencies: | 802 Parks and Wildlife Department
|
| LBB Staff: | JOB, WK, ZS, TB
|