Honorable Ryan Guillen, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1132 by Perry (Relating to the protection and use of certain products, information, and technology of the Parks and Wildlife Department.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. However, there would be an indeterminate positive impact on revenues deposited to the General Revenue-Dedicated Game, Fish, and Water Safety Account No. 9 and General Revenue-Dedicated State Parks Account No. 64from revenues that may be derived from royalties, license rights, or other compensation for the development or purchase of intellectual property.
The bill would amend the Parks and Wildlife Code to allow the Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to apply for patents, copyrights, trademarks or similar identifying marks, or other evidence of protection of exclusivity for intellectual property. The bill would allow TPWD to enter into contracts and collect a fee or royalty. Any revenue derived from royalties, license rights, or other compensation for the development or purchase of intellectual property would be credited to the Game, Fish, and Water Safety Account No. 9 (Fund 9) or the State Parks Account No. 64 (Fund 64), as appropriate.
Based on information provided by TPWD, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished utilizing exiting resources. At the time of this analysis, TPWD was not able to estimate revenues that would be generated under the provisions of the bill since each protected property will carry it's own valuation. However, this analysis assumes there would be an indeterminate positive impact on revenues to Fund 9 and Fund 64.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.