LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 30, 2011

TO:
Honorable Craig Estes, Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Affairs
 
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB1905 by Uresti (Relating to the provision of emergency services in certain rural counties using admission fees charged at state parks.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1905, As Introduced: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2013.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.



Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2012 $0
2013 $0
2014 $0
2015 $0
2016 $0




Fiscal Year Probable Revenue Gain from
State Parks Acct
64 		Probable (Cost) from
State Parks Acct
64
2012 $408,135 ($408,135)
2013 $408,135 ($408,135)
2014 $408,135 ($408,135)
2015 $408,135 ($408,135)
2016 $408,135 ($408,135)

The bill would add Chapter 354 to the Local Government Code relating to emergency services in rural counties, with provisions that would only apply to a county with a population of less than 20,000 that contain a state park and an interstate highway.

The bill would require the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) use $1 from the admission charge to a state park in a county affected by this bill for the purpose of awarding grants to the county that provides emergency services that directly or indirectly benefit the park. The county would be required to use the grant to pay for emergency services within the county boundaries, including volunteer services. 

 

The bill would result in an expansion of the purposes for which the General Revenue-Dedicated State Parks Account No. 64 may be appropriated. However, it should be noted that the bill does not amend the Parks and Wildlife Code to expand the allowable use of proceeds to the State Parks Account.

 

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.


Fiscal Analysis

Using fiscal year 2010 paid park visitation statistics, TPWD estimated 408,135 individuals visited those 12 state parks, which results in both an estimated revenue of $408,135 and grant awards in fiscal year 2012 and each year thereafter. 


Methodology

Using 2009 U.S. Census data, TPWD identified 12 state parks (SP) in counties with populations under 20,000: Balmorhea SP in Reeves County; Choke Canyon-Calliham SP in McMullen County; Choke Canyon-South Shore SP in Live Oak County; Davis Mountain SP in Jeff Davis County; Fairfield SP in Freestone County; Fort Boggy SP in Leon County; Indian Lodge in Jeff Davis County; Lake Colorado City in Mitchell County; Lake Corpus Christi in Live Oak County; Monahans Sandhills SP in Ward and Winkler Counties, Palmetto SP in Gonzales County; and South Llano River SP in Kimble County.
 
Using fiscal year 2010 paid park visitation statistics, TPWD estimated 408,135 individuals visited those 12 state parks, which results in both an estimated revenue of $408,135 and grant awards in fiscal year 2012 and each year thereafter. 

 
TPWD also indicated the department would increase park entrance fees by $1 at these 12 sites in order to meet the provisions of the bill.

 

TPWD would incur costs associated with accounting, distribution and management of these grants; however, this analysis assumes costs could be absorbed within existing resources.

Local Government Impact

Counties would receive grant awards from TPWD to pay for emergency services within the county, including services that directly or indirectly benefit the state park that is within the county.  Award amounts are estimated to be $408,135 in fiscal year 2012 and each year thereafter.



Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 802 Parks and Wildlife Department
LBB Staff:
JOB, SZ, ZS, TP, TB