LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 87TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 3, 2021

TO:	Honorable Tracy O. King, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2652 by Larson (Relating to establishing an advisory board to study surface water and groundwater interaction.), As Introduced

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2652, As Introduced : a negative impact of ($300,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2022	($300,000)
2023	$0
2024	$0
2025	$0
2026	$0

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2022	($300,000)
2023	$0
2024	$0
2025	$0
2026	$0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would create the Water and Groundwater Interaction Advisory Board, composed of the following nine members: the Executive Administrator of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), who would serve as chair; one person to represent the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ); one person to represent river authorities; one person to represent groundwater conservation districts; two people with knowledge in the area of surface water and groundwater interaction; the chair of House Natural Resources; the chair of Senate Water and Rural Affairs; and one person from the office of the governor. In consultation with TCEQ, groundwater conservation districts, and river authorities, the Advisory Board would be required to study the extent to which surface water and groundwater interact in this state, challenges arising in this state from the interaction of surface water and groundwater, and approaches to mitigating challenges arising in this state from the interaction of surface water and groundwater. The Advisory Board would be required to deliver a report based on the study by December 1, 2022, and would be abolished on January 1, 2023. 

The bill would be effective September 1, 2021, or immediately if it received a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house.

Methodology

Based on information provided by TWDB, $300,000 would be required for contract services to conduct a statewide analysis of surface water and groundwater interaction in order to complete the study and report required by the bill. Based on information provided by TWDB and TCEQ, it is assumed that administrative duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished utilizing existing resources.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

580 Water Development Board, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality

LBB Staff:

JMc, AJL, MW, PBO