Honorable Joseph Pickett, Chair, House Committee on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3153 by Torres (Relating to the free admission to state parks for the parents of deceased members of the armed services), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend portions of the Parks and Wildlife Code to allow parents of deceased members of the US Armed Forces who have died in combat to apply for a state parklands passport. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) would be required to waive the park entrance fee for the holder of the parklands passport issued under the circumstances described. TPWD estimates that parents of soldiers that have died in combat from conflicts prior to and including the Persian Gulf War (1991) would, in all likelihood, already be allowed to apply for free or reduced entrance fees available to residents 65 and older. TPWD reports an anticipated revenue decline of under $1,000 per fiscal year for parents of soldiers that have died in combat for conflicts after 1991, and additional costs for programming changes in fiscal year 2012. This analysis assumes both the revenue loss and one-time cost can be absorbed within the department’s existing resources. 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 fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.