LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 23, 2013

TO:	Honorable Joe Straus, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3569 by Kleinschmidt (Relating to activities conducted in connection with a state or federal disease control or eradication program for animals.), As Passed 2nd House

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3569, As Passed 2nd House: a negative impact of ($173,382) 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.

General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2014	($86,691)
2015	($86,691)
2016	($86,691)
2017	($86,691)
2018	($86,691)

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1	Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2013
2014	($86,691)	1.5
2015	($86,691)	1.5
2016	($86,691)	1.5
2017	($86,691)	1.5
2018	($86,691)	1.5

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend the Agriculture Code requiring the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) to adopt rules for the authorization of persons engaged in an activity that is part of a state or federal disease control or eradication program for animals. Under provisions of the bill, TAHC would be required to adopt the rules by December 1, 2013. Additionally, the bill would provide for the issuance of electronically issued certificates of veterinary inspection. Finally, the bill would amend the Agriculture Code regarding offenses committed by persons knowingly failing to handle livestock or fowl in accordance with rules adopted by TAHC.

Methodology

This estimate assumes the agency could provide for the development of rules concerning persons engaged in an activity that is part of a disease control or eradication program for animals within existing resources.

According to TAHC, to implement the provisions of the bill the agency would have the ongoing expense of maintaining the data of persons authorized by the commission to participate in disease control and eradication. The agency indicated it would hire 1 full-time administrative assistant and 0.5 veterinarian position for the program. This estimate assumes a yearly cost to General Revenue Fund of $86,691 in salaries and benefits associated with these full-time equivalent positions.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

554 Animal Health Commission

LBB Staff:

UP, SZ, ZS, JP