84(R) SB 880 - Introduced version

The bill would amend the Agriculture Code to require that the wine industry development advisory committee submit an annual plan and budget to the Agriculture Commissioner no later than September 1 of each fiscal year. The Agriculture Commissioner in turn would have to incorporate the committee recommendations, as appropriate, into a department annual plan and budget no later than November 1 of each fiscal year.

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) indicates that to the extent the bill amends the advisory committee's or department's duties; no significant fiscal implication to the state is anticipated. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission indicates it can reasonably absorb any new duties from the bill within existing resources.

The bill would recreate the Wine Industry Development Fund as an account in the General Revenue fund. However, according to the Comptroller, any revenue loss to General Revenue and corresponding gain to the recreated General Revenue-Dedicated Wine Industry Development Fund cannot be determined, as administrative fees associated with existing activity related to the advisory committee have not been a revenue stream in TDA-reported revenues.

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. The fund, account, or revenue dedication included in this bill would be subject to funds consolidation review by the current Legislature.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


March 23, 2015

TO:	Honorable Kevin Eltife, Chair, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce

FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB880 by Nelson (Relating to certain committees and programs to develop the wine industry in this state through the Department of Agriculture.), As Introduced