LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 21, 2025

TO:	Honorable Ryan Guillen, Chair, House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock
FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB5085 by Gervin-Hawkins (Relating to a study on the impact of certain seed banks and seed preservation on access to food and the environment.), As Introduced

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB5085, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($150,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027.

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
2026	($150,000)
2027	$0
2028	$0
2029	$0
2030	$0

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2026	($150,000)
2027	$0
2028	$0
2029	$0
2030	$0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would require the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to conduct a study on the impact of seed banks and seed preservation in each county with a population of more than 2,000,000 and that has a conservation facility located in the county. The bill would require TDA to assess the impact a seed bank or see preservation may have on food access and the environment as required by the bill. The bill would require TDA to collaborate with any state agency, political subdivision, or other organization relevant to the study. 

The bill would require TDA to submit a report on the study's findings to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives and to appropriate standing committees of the legislature by December 1, 2026.

The bill would expire January 1, 2027.

Methodology

According to TDA, the agency's Seed Quality program, in its Agriculture and Consumer Protection Division, does not have the expertise needed to conduct the study required by the bill because it is a regulatory program that does not do research. 

Based on information provided by TDA, the agency anticipates that a cost of $150,000 in General Revenue Funds in fiscal year 2026 would be necessary to work collaboratively with experts at the Texas A&M University that are currently engaged with seed banks for most major U.S. crops and many minor crops. 

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

551 Department of Agriculture

LBB Staff:

JMc, TUf, MW, RSTE