Honorable Tracy O. King, Chair, House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3037 by Anderson (Relating to restricting the sale of state-owned longhorn cattle in Big Bend Ranch State Park.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3037, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($253,298) 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
($196,744)
2015
($56,554)
2016
($56,554)
2017
($56,554)
2018
($56,554)
Fiscal Year
Probable (Cost) from Sporting Good Tax-State 400
Probable Revenue (Loss) from State Parks Acct 64
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2013
2014
($196,744)
($11,700)
0.5
2015
($56,554)
$0
0.5
2016
($56,554)
$0
0.5
2017
($56,554)
$0
0.5
2018
($56,554)
$0
0.5
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Parks and Wildlife Code relating to the sale of longhorns at Big Bend Ranch State Park (BBRSP). Under bill provisions, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) would not be able to reduce the size of the herd of longhorn cattle at BBRSP by selling longhorn cattle owned by the state. The bill would make exceptions for calves and heifers if the breeding stock is not reduced, or the sale of cattle to replace breeding stock to maintain herd size.
TPWD anticipates implementing provisions of the bill would have a fiscal implication to the department, including both increased costs in operation and a revenue loss in fiscal year 2014, as TPWD reports the department otherwise had plans to sell the entire 39-head herd of longhorns currently at BBRSP. The bill would take immediate effect if the bill receives two-thirds the vote in both houses. Otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2013.
Methodology
TPWD currently manages a herd of 39 longhorn cattle at Big Bend Ranch State Park (BBRSP). TPWD indicates bill provisions would result in additional costs associated with maintaining a substantial breeding herd size at BBRSP which due to the dry climate lacks substantial grazing resources. Costs include food, water, fencing, veterinary services and personnel.
Additional Costs: TPWD estimates that it will need fencing, food, water infrastructure (water pumps and water line), veterinary services, and personnel at BBRSP to maintain a growing herd at this location, including costs to minimize herd impact on the natural dry climate and correspondingly sensitive ecosystem of that particular site. Specifically, TPWD estimates it will need 36 miles of fencing at a cost $126,000 and water pumps and lines at of cost of $17,190 in fiscal year 2014. There would be additional costs of $1,000 each fiscal year thereafter for upkeep and maintenance. Costs for food and veterinary services at the Big Bend Ranch site are estimated to be $33,040 per year. Personnel costs for the 0.5 FTE Maintenance Tech III is estimated at $15,600 per year, with corresponding benefits costs of $4,639, along with $275 per year in associated personnel supplies.
Revenue Loss: TPWD would experience a revenue loss associated with not being able to sell the longhorn cattle. In fiscal year 2014, the agency estimates 39 longhorn cattle would have been sold at BBRSP. At the average estimated price per head of cattle of $300, the total revenue loss in fiscal year 2014 would be $11,700 to the General Revenue-Dedicated State Parks Account No. 64.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.