LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 21, 2009

TO:	Honorable Mark Homer, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3578 by Dunnam (Relating to the Governor's Mansion and Woodlawn.), As Introduced

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3578, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($6,291,763) through the biennium ending August 31, 2011.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2010	($6,291,763)
2011	$0
2012	$0
2013	$0
2014	$0

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2010	($6,291,763)
2011	$0
2012	$0
2013	$0
2014	$0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would require the Historical Commission to acquire at fair market value, or make every effort to acquire at fair market value, the Woodlawn property also commonly known as Pease Mansion or Shivers Mansion at 6 Niles Road in Austin to serve as the official residence of the Governor.  The bill would provide the Commission with the sole responsibility for maintenance and preservation of the Woodlawn property and the contents within the mansion.  The bill would also require the Commission to develop a plan, upon acquisition of Woodlawn, for the conversion of the current Governor's mansion into a public museum with facilities for the Governor to host receptions and public events.  The bill would repeal Section 443.025 of the Government Code.

This act would take effect on September 1, 2009.

Methodology

The bill would require the Commission to purchase the Woodlawn property at fair market value.  This value is currently estimated to be $6,291,763 and is based on the appraised value provided by the Travis County Appraisal District.  This fiscal note assumes purchase of the property in fiscal year 2010.

 

In addition, the Commission would become responsible for the maintenance and preservation of the Woodlawn property.  Any new expenditure by the Commission to accomplish these activities is assumed to be offset by an equivalent reduction in spending by the State Preservation Board for the Governor’s mansion.  

 

The bill would also require the Commission to develop plans for the acquisition and disposition of furnishings at Woodlawn and for the conversion of the current Governor’s mansion into a museum.  No cost is anticipated for these provisions of the bill.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

808 Historical Commission

LBB Staff:

JOB, SD, MS, LCO