LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 5, 2009

TO:	Honorable Todd Hunter, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1898 by Shelton (Relating to notice required for certain recreational activities on premises owned, operated, or maintained by a governmental unit.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend portions of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code by adding subsection g-1 to Section 75.002, that states any outdoor premise of the state or a state agency which has specific recreational activities mentioned in the bill, must post and maintain in a visible location a warning sign that limits the liability for damages arising from these activities.

The Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) indicates that while these recreational activities are permitted, logistically they are limited, due to specific terrain that is needed. There are no locations that TPWD owns, operates or maintains for the specific purpose of the mentioned recreational activities as defined by Section 75.002 (e). Therefore, no additional signs would need to be posted.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2009.

Local Government Impact

A local government entity which owns, operates or maintains, for the specific recreational purposes mentioned in the bill, could incur indeterminate costs to replace and update warning signs.

Source Agencies:

802 Parks and Wildlife Department

LBB Staff:

JOB, MN, SD, DB