Honorable Tracy O. King, Chair, House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1730 by Cyrier (Relating to certification of the state's primary standards of weights and measures.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Texas Agriculture Code, Section 13.113(b) to require the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to submit the standards of weights and measures used in inspections to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for certification as required to maintain recognition of TDA's Metrology Laboratory. Current law requires that this submission occur at least once every ten years.
TDA estimates that the provisions of the bill would increase the intervals between certification of the primary standards, providing a cost savings of $60,000 in fiscal year 2017. No future cost savings are anticipated, as the Metrology Lab is only recognized by NIST for fiscal year 2017, and is not expected to remain in compliance with NIST standards beginning in fiscal year 2018. TDA estimates that if certain repairs are made to the HVAC system in the Metrology Lab resulting in Echelon 2 recognition by NIST, primary standards would have to be recertified in the future, and future cost savings due to the enactment of the bill could be realized.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.