Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3636 by Morrison (relating to the transfer of jurisdiction over and management of the Star of the Republic Museum to the Texas Historical Commission and the transfer of certain state property from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to DeWitt County.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Chapter 442 of the Government Code to transfer the preservation, maintenance, and operation of the Star of the Republic Museum from Blinn College to the Historical Commission. The bill would specify that Blinn College District maintains ownership of the museum, the land on which the museum is located, and the artifacts in the museum. The transfer would be effective beginning on January 1, 2020.
This analysis assumes that appropriations to Blinn College for operation of the museum would be transferred to the Historical Commission, including a transfer for a partial fiscal year 2020 and a full fiscal year 2021. In the 2018-19 General Appropriations Act, Blinn College is appropriated $410,400 in General Revenue in each fiscal year of the biennium. The Historical Commission assumes 4.0 full-time-equivalent positions would be required to operate the museum. This analysis assumes funding for operations and the 4.0 FTE positions would be funded through the transfer in appropriations, excluding the cost for employee benefits.
The bill would direct the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to transfer certain real property to DeWitt County for an amount not less than the fair market value, as outlined in the bill. According to TDCJ, there would be a one time revenue gain related to the sale of the property. The General Land Office estimates there would be a minimal cost associated with implementing the provisions of the bill.
Local Government Impact
Because the bill would not have statewide impact on units of local government of the same type or class, no comment from this office is required by the rules of the House/Senate as to its probable fiscal implication on units of local government.
Source Agencies:
305 General Land Office and Veterans' Land Board, 696 Department of Criminal Justice, 808 Historical Commission, 954 Blinn Junior College