Honorable Jim Keffer, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3837 by Lucio III (relating to the licensing and regulation of certain rainwater harvesting; providing administrative penalties; authorizing fees; requiring an occupational license.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Agriculture Code to direct the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to establish a licensing program for persons installing or maintaining for compensation a rainwater harvesting system with a capacity of 500 gallons or more. The TDA license would require successful completion of a rain water harvesting training program, passing an examination, and payment of an application fee. The license would be valid for three years. Violations of the licensing requirement would be subject to an administrative penalty of up to $5,000. The licensing requirement would not apply to a person holding a master plumber or journeyman plumber license issued in Texas with a water supply protection specialist endorsement.
According to the Comptroller, there are between 40 and 60 individuals in Texas who may seek the TDA license. However, because TDA has not determined fee amounts, if any, for related licenses and inspections, this analysis does not include a revenue estimate for the 2016-17 biennium. Although TDA indicates there would be minimal costs associated with the bill, this analysis assumes that additional fee-generated revenue would be generated in sufficient amounts to cover all costs necessary to implement the provisions of the bill.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 551 Department of Agriculture