Honorable Jim Keffer, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2788 by Springer (Relating to the authority of a retail public water utility to require an operator of a correctional facility to comply with water conservation measures.), As Introduced
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Water Code to permit a retail public utility to require an operator of a correctional facility to comply with water conservation measures adopted or implemented by the retail public utility.
Local Government Impact
There could be costs to comply with water conservation measures, these costs would depend on the size, location and resources of a correctional facility and could be offset with savings in water usage.
According to the Commission on Jail Standards, the bill would have upfront savings due to the restriction of landscape watering. However, the bill could prevent costs in prolonged restriction of watering due to the county jail building movement and settling of the building's foundation.
The Travis County Sherriff's Department reported an estimated $1,000,000 cost annually until all plumbing commode fixtures were retrofitted. There would be one time costs of $53,617 for an additional staff member and $46,973 for equipment costs. The Department estimated $10,000 annually in water usage savings.
Source Agencies:
409 Commission on Jail Standards, 696 Department of Criminal Justice