LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 6, 2009 TO: Honorable Byron Cook, Chair, House Committee on Environmental Regulation FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB1867 by Anchia (Relating to requirements for businesses that offer plastic checkout bags to customers; providing civil and administrative penalties.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would require that businesses with at least 51 employees that offer plastic checkout bags to customers establish a checkout bag recycling program. The recycling program would include requirements for offering a reusable bag for sale, the printing of recycling information on the bags, placement of collection bins, and maintenance of records documenting recycling efforts. The bill also would include provisions for penalties for violations. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) would be charged with enforcing the provisions of the bill. The TCEQ reports that due to the large number of businesses that would be subject to this legislation, the bill could have a significant impact to the field investigation, enforcement, legal, and Small Business and Environmental Assistance programs within the agency. However, because the bill does not mandate scheduled investigations or enforcement, this estimate assumes that the bulk of TCEQs compliance efforts will primarily be geared towards providing assistance. This estimate also assumes that the TCEQ would receive a minimal number of complaints or reports of violation. Therefore, no significant fiscal impact to the TCEQ is expected. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies:302 Office of the Attorney General, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality LBB Staff: JOB, TL, SD, JRO
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
April 6, 2009
TO: Honorable Byron Cook, Chair, House Committee on Environmental Regulation FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB1867 by Anchia (Relating to requirements for businesses that offer plastic checkout bags to customers; providing civil and administrative penalties.), As Introduced
TO: Honorable Byron Cook, Chair, House Committee on Environmental Regulation
FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB1867 by Anchia (Relating to requirements for businesses that offer plastic checkout bags to customers; providing civil and administrative penalties.), As Introduced
Honorable Byron Cook, Chair, House Committee on Environmental Regulation
Honorable Byron Cook, Chair, House Committee on Environmental Regulation
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
HB1867 by Anchia (Relating to requirements for businesses that offer plastic checkout bags to customers; providing civil and administrative penalties.), As Introduced
HB1867 by Anchia (Relating to requirements for businesses that offer plastic checkout bags to customers; providing civil and administrative penalties.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would require that businesses with at least 51 employees that offer plastic checkout bags to customers establish a checkout bag recycling program. The recycling program would include requirements for offering a reusable bag for sale, the printing of recycling information on the bags, placement of collection bins, and maintenance of records documenting recycling efforts. The bill also would include provisions for penalties for violations. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) would be charged with enforcing the provisions of the bill. The TCEQ reports that due to the large number of businesses that would be subject to this legislation, the bill could have a significant impact to the field investigation, enforcement, legal, and Small Business and Environmental Assistance programs within the agency. However, because the bill does not mandate scheduled investigations or enforcement, this estimate assumes that the bulk of TCEQs compliance efforts will primarily be geared towards providing assistance. This estimate also assumes that the TCEQ would receive a minimal number of complaints or reports of violation. Therefore, no significant fiscal impact to the TCEQ is expected.
The bill would require that businesses with at least 51 employees that offer plastic checkout bags to customers establish a checkout bag recycling program. The recycling program would include requirements for offering a reusable bag for sale, the printing of recycling information on the bags, placement of collection bins, and maintenance of records documenting recycling efforts. The bill also would include provisions for penalties for violations. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) would be charged with enforcing the provisions of the bill.
The TCEQ reports that due to the large number of businesses that would be subject to this legislation, the bill could have a significant impact to the field investigation, enforcement, legal, and Small Business and Environmental Assistance programs within the agency. However, because the bill does not mandate scheduled investigations or enforcement, this estimate assumes that the bulk of TCEQs compliance efforts will primarily be geared towards providing assistance. This estimate also assumes that the TCEQ would receive a minimal number of complaints or reports of violation. Therefore, no significant fiscal impact to the TCEQ is expected.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies: 302 Office of the Attorney General, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality
302 Office of the Attorney General, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality
LBB Staff: JOB, TL, SD, JRO
JOB, TL, SD, JRO