LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 4, 2013

TO:	Honorable Allan Ritter, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB454 by Hegar (Relating to the authority of certain conservation and reclamation districts to file an annual financial report with the executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in lieu of filing an annual audit report.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Water Code to authorize a conservation and reclamation district to file annual financial or audit reports if the district’s cash and temporary investments were not in excess of $750,000 during the fiscal period. Under current statute, the amount is $250,000.

The bill would require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to amend existing rules to implement the provisions of the bill. According to the analysis by TCEQ, conservation and reclamation districts may file more annual financial reports and less audit reports. According to TCEQ, the provisions of the bill would not have a significant fiscal impact on the agency.

Local Government Impact

There could be a cost savings to a conservation and reclamation district related to reporting requirements; however, the amounts would vary by district depending on the cost of an audit report or an annual financial report, and current reporting procedures in a district.

Source Agencies:

582 Commission on Environmental Quality

LBB Staff:

UP, SZ, TP