Honorable Ryan Guillen, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1925 by Geren (Relating to the transfer of the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program to the Parks and Wildlife Department.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1925, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($306,234) 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
($160,327)
2017
($145,907)
2018
($146,549)
2019
($146,549)
2020
($147,192)
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2015
2016
($160,327)
2.0
2017
($145,907)
2.0
2018
($146,549)
2.0
2019
($146,549)
2.0
2020
($147,192)
2.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend portions of the Natural Resources Code and Parks and Wildlife Code to transfer the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program from the General Land Office (GLO) to the Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
The bill would recreate the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Fund as an account in the General Revenue Fund. Funds in this account could be used for grants and transaction costs related to purchases of agricultural conservation easements, and up to five percent could be used for administrative costs incurred by TPWD. Revenue to the fund would consist of moneys appropriated by the legislature; public or private grants and contributions; proceeds from the sale of real property not required for the management of real property; and funds from any other source, including proceeds from the sale of bonds, state or federal mitigation funds, or funds from any local, state, or federal program.
The bill would also increase membership of the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Council from 10 to 11 members.
This 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 this bill would be subject to funds consolidation review by the current Legislature.
The bill would take effect immediately upon enactment if it received a two-thirds vote in each house. Otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2015.
Methodology
Based on information provided by TPWD, the bill would require funding from General Revenue for 2.0 FTE positions to administer the program, and associated equipment for the FTE positions in the first year. The associated costs are reflected in the table above.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 305 General Land Office and Veterans' Land Board, 802 Parks and Wildlife Department