Honorable Ryan Guillen, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2718 by Guillen (Relating to the cultural and fine arts district program administered by the Texas Commission on the Arts.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2718, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($120,040) through the biennium ending August 31, 2015.
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
2014
($60,520)
2015
($59,520)
2016
($59,520)
2017
($59,520)
2018
($59,520)
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2013
2014
($60,520)
1.0
2015
($59,520)
1.0
2016
($59,520)
1.0
2017
($59,520)
1.0
2018
($59,520)
1.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require the Texas Commission on the Arts (Commission) to develop a standardized tracking survey for use by designated cultural and fine arts districts (districts) to collect information from visitors and to develop annual performance measures for designated districts to be published on the Commission’s website. The bill would require the Commission to identify and advise districts of available state incentives and opportunities and to assist districts in applying for the incentives. The bill would authorize the Commission to amend the boundaries of a district to include private sector development.
Methodology
The agency indicated the need for an additional 1.0 full-time equivalent position for a Program Specialist I to implement the provisions of the bill. The annual costs total $59,520 out of General Revenue with an additional $1,000 for technology equipment in fiscal year 2014. Annual expenses include: $40,000 for salaries; $11,896 for employee benefits, $2,000 for travel expenses, $220 for telecommunications charges, $300 for consumable office supplies and $5,104 for technology expenses including software or application licensing.
Technology
Technology related expenses include $1,000 in one-time equipment costs in fiscal year 2014 and annual recurring costs of $5,104 for software or applications licensing fees related to gathering, tracking, securing and reporting visitation and performance data by designated districts.
Local Government Impact
The bill would require a designated cultural and fine arts district to meet performance measures developed by the Texas Commission on the Arts in order to maintain designation as a cultural and fine arts district. No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.