LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 87TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 16, 2021

TO:	Honorable Ken King, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism
FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1615 by Cyrier (Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Parks and Wildlife Code to continue the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) for 12 years. The bill would require the agency to create and distribute a training manual for members of the Parks and Wildlife Commission. It would require TPWD to maintain a system for handling complaints filed with the agency. The bill would require the agency to measure the effectiveness of its Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan and to evaluate biennially the progress made on the plan. The agency would be required to establish a policy for risk-based inspections of commercial and occupational licensed activities. 

Based on information provided by TPWD, it is assumed that duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished utilizing existing resources.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2021.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

116 Sunset Advisory Commission, 802 Parks and Wildlife Department

LBB Staff:

JMc, AJL, MW, PBO