Honorable J. M. Lozano, Chair, House Committee on Environmental Regulation
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB990 by Gutierrez (Relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regarding the effects of the construction of a border wall on storm drainage and other environmental matters in this state.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB990, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($2,485,015) through the biennium ending August 31, 2021.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2020
($2,485,015)
2021
$0
2022
$0
2023
$0
2024
$0
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2019
2020
($2,485,015)
3.0
2021
$0
0.0
2022
$0
0.0
2023
$0
0.0
2024
$0
0.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Water Code to require the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to conduct a joint study on the effects of the construction of a border wall on storm drainage, water quality, and environmental contamination and that would provide recommendations for mitigation of any negative effects. The bill would require this study to be completed no later than March 1, 2020.
The bill would take effect on September 1, 2019.
Methodology
Based on information provided by the TWDB and TCEQ, this estimate assumes that production of the joint study within the time frames provided in the bill would require 3.0 FTEs at the TWDB only in fiscal year 2020. This would include an Engineer IV ($48,278 plus benefits of $16,139, or $64,417), an Engineer II ($59,004 plus benefits of $19,725, or $78,729), and a Natural Resource Specialist IV ($51,614 plus benefits of $17,255, or $64,417) for total salary costs of $212,015 and an additional $3,000 in travel costs. This estimate assumes TWDB and TCEQ combined would require an additional $2,270,000 for contracting costs associated with completion of this study. Total costs for this study under the provisions and time frames established in the bill would be $2,485,015 in fiscal year 2020.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
580 Water Development Board, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality