The bill would amend the Water Code to recreate the Reclamation and Restoration Fund Account in the General Revenue Fund. The fund would collect any penalties, funds collected through other enforcement actions and any gifts or grants collected related to the uses of the fund. The bill would limit the appropriations out of the fund to pay for costs associated with reclamation and restoration of the beds, bottoms, and banks of water bodies.
The bill would add the Coke Stevenson Scenic Riverway to the Water Quality Protection Area Pilot program. Based on information provided by the Comptroller of Public Accounts, adding the Coke Stevenson Scenic Riverway to the pilot program would widen the scope of enforcement penalties and fees and could have a positive fiscal impact to the state, but it is not likely to be significant.
Based on information provided by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the Lower Colorado River Authority, any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.
The bill would do one or more of the following: create or recreate a dedicated account in the General Revenue Fund, create or recreate a special or trust fund either with or outside of the Treasury, or create a dedicated revenue source. The fund, account, or revenue dedication included in this bill would be subject to funds consolidation review by the current Legislature.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.