LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 28, 2015 TO: Honorable Troy Fraser, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB1509 by Hancock (Relating to maximum penalties for certain environmental violations.), As Introduced The bill would have an indeterminate revenue loss to the General Revenue Fund as the penalty awards under current law are state revenue. The impact cannot be determined based on the unavailability of the number of cases and the associated penalties. The bill would amend the Water Code relating to maximum penalties for certain environmental violations. The bill would permit local government to asses, for each violation, civil penalties of $50 to $25,000 per violation for each day of each violation, up to 120 days. The bill would permit certain violations continuing for more than 120 days to be assessed of a civil penalty of $50 to $1,000 for each violation for each day. Under the provisions of the bill, each day of a continuing violation would be a separate violation and certain specified civil penalties could not be calculated beyond a certain time frame. The bill provides factors to be considered in determining penalty amounts; limitations on civil penalties; and time limitations for lawsuits. The Office of Court Administration reported no significant fiscal impact to the state court system is anticipated. Local Government Impact There could be an increase in revenue to local governmental entities depending on the number of future cases and penalties assessed. The potential fiscal impact cannot be determined based on the unavailability of data. Source Agencies:212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts LBB Staff: UP, SZ, SD, EK
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
April 28, 2015
TO: Honorable Troy Fraser, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB1509 by Hancock (Relating to maximum penalties for certain environmental violations.), As Introduced
TO: Honorable Troy Fraser, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development
FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: SB1509 by Hancock (Relating to maximum penalties for certain environmental violations.), As Introduced
Honorable Troy Fraser, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development
Honorable Troy Fraser, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
SB1509 by Hancock (Relating to maximum penalties for certain environmental violations.), As Introduced
SB1509 by Hancock (Relating to maximum penalties for certain environmental violations.), As Introduced
The bill would have an indeterminate revenue loss to the General Revenue Fund as the penalty awards under current law are state revenue. The impact cannot be determined based on the unavailability of the number of cases and the associated penalties.
The bill would have an indeterminate revenue loss to the General Revenue Fund as the penalty awards under current law are state revenue. The impact cannot be determined based on the unavailability of the number of cases and the associated penalties.
The bill would amend the Water Code relating to maximum penalties for certain environmental violations. The bill would permit local government to asses, for each violation, civil penalties of $50 to $25,000 per violation for each day of each violation, up to 120 days. The bill would permit certain violations continuing for more than 120 days to be assessed of a civil penalty of $50 to $1,000 for each violation for each day. Under the provisions of the bill, each day of a continuing violation would be a separate violation and certain specified civil penalties could not be calculated beyond a certain time frame. The bill provides factors to be considered in determining penalty amounts; limitations on civil penalties; and time limitations for lawsuits. The Office of Court Administration reported no significant fiscal impact to the state court system is anticipated.
Local Government Impact
There could be an increase in revenue to local governmental entities depending on the number of future cases and penalties assessed. The potential fiscal impact cannot be determined based on the unavailability of data.
Source Agencies: 212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts
LBB Staff: UP, SZ, SD, EK
UP, SZ, SD, EK