LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 5, 2009

TO:	Honorable Allan Ritter, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3543 by Lucio III (Relating to the creation of a Don't Mess with Texas Water program to prevent illegal dumping that affects the surface waters of this state.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to establish a program  to prevent illegal dumping that affects surface waters of the state.  It requires TCEQ to set up a toll-free number that will forward callers reporting illegal dumping to the appropriate law enforcement agency of a participating local government. The bill also directs the TCEQ to work with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to place signs with the toll-free number at every major highway water crossing in the state. Participating local governments must contribute to the cost of operating a toll-free number hotline.

Costs to the TCEQ in implementing the bills provisions are not expected to be signficant. Costs to TxDOT in placing signs are not expected to be significant, but the actual impact would depend upon the number of signs placed. TxDOT reports that each sign would cost $750.

Local Government Impact

The bill would require local governmental entities to participate in the program and contribute to the cost of operating the toll-free number. The fiscal impact to local governmental entities could be significant, but would vary depending on an entity's location to surface water for the enforcement of illegal dumping, and the costs to operate the toll-free number.

Source Agencies:

582 Commission on Environmental Quality, 601 Department of Transportation, 802 Parks and Wildlife Department

LBB Staff:

JOB, TL, SD, TP