Honorable Charles Perry, Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1584 by Farias (Relating to a voluntary donation to the fund for veterans' assistance when applying for a hunting or fishing license.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Parks and Wildlife Code to allow individuals applying for a hunting or fishing license to make a voluntary contribution to the Fund for Veterans' Assistance No. 0368. The Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) would be required to provide the opportunity to make a donation on the first page of a paper application or during the on-line application process. The bill would allow TPWD to deduct reasonable administrative fees from the donated amounts before sending the donated amounts to the fund.
Based on information provided by the Comptroller of Public Accounts, the bill would increase revenue to the Fund for Veterans' Assistance in an indeterminate amount.
Based on information provided by TPWD, the bill would result in minimal cost for programing to the License Sales System. This analysis assumes duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.
The legislation would do one or more of the following: create or recreate a dedicated account in the General Revenue Fund, create or recreate a special or trust fund either with or outside of the Treasury, or create a dedicated revenue source. Legislative policy, implemented as Government Code 403.094, consolidated special funds (except those affected by constitutional, federal, or other restrictions) into the General Revenue Fund as of August 31, 1993 and eliminated all applicable statutory revenue dedications as of August 31, 1995. Each subsequent Legislature has reviewed bills that affect funds consolidation. The fund, account, or revenue dedication included in the bill would be subject to funds consolidation review by the current Legislature.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 802 Parks and Wildlife Department