LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 25, 2009

TO:	Honorable Craig Estes, Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Affairs
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB768 by Hegar (Relating to exemptions from the Texas Structural Pest Control Act; providing penalties. ), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would exempt certain activities conducted without the use of pesticides from structural pest control regulation.  The bill would also give the Department of Agriculture (TDA) the authority to exempt an activity from structural pest control regulation if TDA determines that the activity presents only a minimal risk of harm to the health, safety, and welfare of the public, the person performing the activity, pets and other domesticated animals, and the environment.

The Office of the Attorney General and TDA indicate that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed within each agency's existing resources.

The Comptroller of Public Accounts indicates that any loss of revenue associated with the bill cannot be determined.

The bill would take effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to each house; otherwise it would take effect September 1, 2009.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

302 Office of the Attorney General, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 551 Department of Agriculture

LBB Staff:

JOB, WK, AH