Honorable Ryan Guillen, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2138 by Guillen (Relating to the search for and rescue of victims of water-oriented accidents.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend portions of the Parks and Wildlife Code. The bill would provide that state military forces (Texas National Guard, Texas State Guard, or other state militia) may assist Game Wardens in the search and rescue of victims of water-oriented accidents. This analysis assumes that state military forces would continue to provide the same level of services currently provided during declared disasters, but the bill would formalize the relationship that at times game wardens may request assistance, which the state military forces would be authorized to provide. The Adjutant General reports that actual integration of service skills typically provided by state military forces would cost $144,605 per 24-hour training period, including helicopter hours and rescue crew hours. To the extent the bill would formalize cooperative efforts between the state militia and game wardens in water-related search and rescues, no significant fiscal implication to the Adjutant General or the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is anticipated. The bill would take immediate effect if the bill receives two-thirds the vote of all members in both houses. Otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2011.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
401 Adjutant General's Department, 802 Parks and Wildlife Department