LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 10, 2013

TO:	Honorable Craig Estes, Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs & Homeland Security
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1494 by King, Tracy O. (Relating to certain regulatory programs administered by the Department of Agriculture; providing penalties; imposing fees.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Agriculture Code relating to certain regulatory programs administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). The bill would amend statute pertaining to administrative penalties as well as cease and desist orders issued by the agency. The bill would also amend the Agriculture Code pertaining to weights and measures as well as licensing requirements for various regulatory programs. Based on information provided by TDA, this analysis assumes that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed within the agency's existing resources.

Under provisions of the bill, the imposition of criminal and administrative penalties would be permissive, and fees from licenses would be set by TDA. According to the Comptroller of Public Accounts, revenue could be generated by this bill, but the amount cannot be determined.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2013.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 551 Department of Agriculture

LBB Staff:

UP, SZ, JP