Honorable Jim Keffer, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB30 by Larson (Relating to the development of brackish groundwater.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB30, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($389,010) through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.
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
2016
($203,015)
2017
($185,995)
2018
($185,995)
2019
($185,995)
2020
($185,995)
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2015
2016
($203,015)
2.0
2017
($185,995)
2.0
2018
($185,995)
2.0
2019
($185,995)
2.0
2020
($185,995)
2.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill amends the Texas Water Code relating to the development of brackish groundwater. The bill requires the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to confirm that regional water planning groups consider large-scale seawater and brackish groundwater desalination associated with brackish groundwater production zones when developing regional water plans. The bill also requires TWDB to accommodate and account for additional, separate water sources in the state water planning database and review them for over-allocations. The bill requires TWDB to receive information, designate brackish groundwater production zones, and investigate impacts of production from brackish groundwater production zones.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2015.
Methodology
TWDB estimates a cost of $389,010 in the 2016-17 biennium, which is attributed to hiring two additional staff (1.0 Geoscientist II at $54,761 per year and 1.0 Geoscientist IV at $71,686 per year) to accomplish provisions of the bill. Equipment and operating costs excluding technology impact are $31,340 in fiscal year 2016 and $14,320 in fiscal year 2017 and subsequent years.
Technology
According to TWDB, there would be a cost of $10,000 per year for State Data Center services for data storage.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 580 Water Development Board