LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 6, 2009

TO:
Honorable Veronica Gonzales, Chair, House Committee on Border & Intergovernmental Affairs
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB1003 by Deuell (Relating to the continuation and functions of the Office of State-Federal Relations and the administrative attachment of that agency to the office of the governor.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would provide that the Office of State-Federal Relations (OFSR) would be administratively attached to the Office of the Governor and that the OSFR would be funded by appropriations made to the Office of the Governor.

The bill would require OSFR to notify the legislative leadership of federal activities relevant to the state, inform the Texas congressional delegation of state activities, conduct frequent conference calls, respond to state and federal requests for information, and coordinate with the Legislative Budget Board regarding effects of federal funding on the state budget.
 

The bill would allow OSFR to contract with federal-level government relations consultants and would require certain procedures for these activities.  The bill would repeal certain statutory provisions relating to: lobbyist restrictions for the general counsel of the office; complaint tracking and resolution; the OSFR advisory policy board; interagency contracts with the Legislative Budget Board; and, reporting requirements by agencies and institutions of higher education on grant applications and awards to the OSFR and Legislative Budget Board.


It is assumed that all funds and FTEs would be would be transferred from OSFR to the Office of the Governor.  It is anticipated that any additional duties required by the bill can be performed using available resources within the Office of the Governor. Therefore, no significant fiscal impact to the state is anticipated.


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
116 Sunset Advisory Commission, 301 Office of the Governor, 308 State Auditor's Office
LBB Staff:
JOB, CL, MS, BTA