LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

February 28, 2011

TO:	Honorable Allan Ritter, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:	John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB451 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 would require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to establish a "Don't Mess With Texas Water" program to prevent illegal dumping that affects surface waters of the state.  It would require TCEQ to set up a toll-free number that would forward callers reporting illegal dumping to the appropriate law enforcement agency.  The TCEQ would be required to work with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to place signs with the toll-free number at major highway water crossings in the state. The bill would allow a local government to participate in the program and contribute to the cost of operating the toll-free number hotline. 
 
The TCEQ and TxDOT both report that the costs associated with implementing the bill's provisions would not be significant and could be reasonably absorbed within each agency's current funding.

Local Government Impact

The bill would allow 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 would vary depending on an entity's proximity to surface water for the enforcement of illegal dumping and the costs to operate the toll-free number. This estimate assumes that local governments that would incur significant costs would not opt to participate in the program.

Source Agencies:

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

LBB Staff:

JOB, SZ, ZS, TL