LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 7, 2017

TO:
Honorable Lyle Larson, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB2943 by Larson (relating to the use of money in the state water pollution control revolving fund.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Water Code to require the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to develop a program to promote the acquisition of conservation easements.  The program would be eligible to receive funding, along with certain other federally approved projects, through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).  The CWSRF is a fund outside the State Treasury. The bill would also require CWSRF projects to have a demonstrable impact on water quality control and would require the board to ensure financial assistance is consistent with the perpetuity of the fund. The bill would increase the maximum length of a loan for a project that could qualify for the use of these funds from 20 years to 30 years. Based on the analysis of TWDB and of the Comptroller of Public Accounts, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by using existing resources.

The bill 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 within 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.

Local Government Impact

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


Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 580 Water Development Board
LBB Staff:
UP, SZ, MW, PBO