LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 14, 2015

TO:
Honorable Tracy O. King, Chair, House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB3290 by Rodriguez, Eddie (Relating to creating a farm to school community connections pilot program.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3290, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($5,000,000) 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 ($5,000,000)
2017 $0
2018 $0
2019 $0
2020 $0




Fiscal Year Probable (Cost) from
General Revenue Fund
1
Probable (Cost) from
Federal Funds
555
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2015
2016 ($5,000,000) ($75,000) 1.0
2017 $0 ($75,000) 1.0
2018 $0 $0 0.0
2019 $0 $0 0.0
2020 $0 $0 0.0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend the Agriculture Code to require the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to develop a pilot program to award $5 million to school districts to promote increased access to fresh, local produce.  Awards will be based in part on $0.15 per school lunch served that uses fresh or minimally processed ingredients purchased from local farms.  TDA is required to submit a report to the legislature on this pilot program by December 2016 with recommendations on the continuations, elimination or expansion of the program.
 
The bill authorizes a two year pilot program which expires September 1, 2017. The bill would take immediate effect if the bill receives two-thirds the vote of all members in each house. Otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2015.

Methodology

Costs from General Revenue reflect the $5,000,000 as required in the legislation for a grant program. An additional $75,000 each fiscal year from federal funds reflects the costs of a temporary employee for managing the grant program, including creation of award process, evaluation of awarded funds, and creating a communication strategy.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
551 Department of Agriculture
LBB Staff:
UP, SZ, MW, TB