LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 31, 2009

TO:	Honorable Byron Cook, Chair, House Committee on Environmental Regulation
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1920 by Kent (Relating to rules of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality related to motor vehicle idling.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would modify the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's (TCEQ) authority to limit or prohibit the idling of motor vehicles as follows. New language would allow the TCEQ to adopt rules to prohibit the idling of motor vehicles where the vehicle has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 6,000 pounds or more and must be enforced year-round. 

The TCEQ reports that the change would allow the agency to be more restrictive and would allow for the application of idling restrictions to light duty diesel or gasoline vehicles, such as some Chevrolet Tahoes, Chevrolet Suburbans, Ford F150s, and Ford Explorers. 
 
The TCEQ would be required to submit the rule changes necessary to implement the bill to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a revision to the State Implementation Plan (SIP). Once approved by EPA, these limits would become requirements which are federally enforceable.   

No significant fiscal implications are anticipated for the TCEQ as a result of the bill's passage.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. The TCEQ reports that the bill would not change the fine amount for idling already allowed under current law. This estimate does not assume that a significant number of violations would occur in a local government's jurisdiction to significantly affect costs or revenues.

Source Agencies:

582 Commission on Environmental Quality

LBB Staff:

JOB, WK, TL