Honorable J. M. Lozano, Chair, House Committee on Environmental Regulation
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3319 by Burns (Relating to the collection of soil monitoring samples from land application units where sewage sludge or domestic septage is applied.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3319, As Introduced: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2021; however, there would be decreases in General Revenue-Dedicated Waste Management Account No. 549.
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
$0
2021
$0
2022
$0
2023
$0
2024
$0
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from Waste Management Acct 549
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2019
2020
($387,600)
3.0
2021
($253,350)
3.0
2022
($253,350)
3.0
2023
($253,350)
3.0
2024
($253,350)
3.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 361 by adding Section 361.1215 concerning soil monitoring sample collection for land application of sewage sludge or domestic septage. The bill would define "domestic septage" and "land application unit", and would require a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) inspector to collect the soil monitoring samples required for a land application unit at which sewage sludge or domestic septage is applied.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2019.
Methodology
Based on information provided by TCEQ, there are 102 authorized sewage sludge and septage sites that would meet the definition of land application unit. Under current TCEQ rules, the frequency of monitoring includes sampling for nutrients at least once per year and sampling for nutrients and metals every five years. Under the provisions of the bill, TCEQ anticipates that 908 additional samples would be necessary across the 102 authorized sites based on comparisons of sampling sizes of other similar programs.
To meet these obligations, this estimate assumes the agency would need three additional Environmental Investigator II FTEs ($47,688 plus $15,942 in benefits each) each fiscal year. Additional annual costs include laboratory sample analysis services of $45,400, travel costs of $6,000, and other operating expenses of $11,059.
One-time costs in fiscal year 2020 would include the purchase of two additional vehicles equipped with soil samplers at $59,500 each, $3,250 for mapping software licenses, and office-related expenses of $12,000.
Technology
This estimate assumes one-time technology costs of $3,250 for the purchase of mapping software licenses to implement the provisions of the bill.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.