COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

OVERSIGHT DIVISION



FISCAL NOTE



L.R. NO.: 3015-04

BILL NO.: SB 723

SUBJECT: Invasive Species Council

TYPE: Original

DATE: January 24, 2000




FISCAL SUMMARY



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003
None $0 $0 $0
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

State Funds

$0 $0 $0



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003
None $0 $0 $0
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

Federal Funds

$0 $0 $0



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003
Local Government $0 $0 $0

Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.

This fiscal note contains 5 pages.

FISCAL ANALYSIS



ASSUMPTION



The Office of Administration assumes their agency would not be administratively impacted by this proposed legislation.



The Department of Agriculture assumes the establishment of the Council in itself does not create any fiscal impacts; however, the legislation charges each department involved to provide temporary staffing and administrative support. Assuming that this will be provided primarily by the department whose director is chair of the Council at any given time, costs will vary and cannot be predicted until it is determined what will be required to develop the plan as charged. The legislation also requires any state agency to act upon measures recommended by the Council and those implementation costs cannot be speculated before the plan is drafted.



The Department of Transportation (DHT) assumes their director would be a member of the Invasive Special Council. Additionally, DHT assumes they will be required to share the costs of the Council until such time that permanent resources may be appropriated for the Council. DHT may also be required to implement costly procedures to comply with the rules of the Council. However, at this time and due to the broad nature/language of this bill, they cannot determine the amount of time or resources that will be required to comply with this legislation. DHT noted they may need rental space after the Council establishes any potential need for full time staff and resources.



The Department of Health (DOH) assumes the only direct cost implication identified at this time is for the establishment of the "Invasive Species Council". It is assumed that the cost for the director's participation on a rotating basis is negligible. It is noted that section 252.405 lists a number of state agency actions including monitoring, response, research, public education, etc. associated with invasive species. Duties would be performed in consultation with the "Council" and a management plan yet to be developed to address and respond to problems resulting from invasive species yet to be identified. Therefore, no cost could be projected relative to this section. It is also assumed given the focus on "invasive species" that DOH would not be in the forefront of any necessary response unless health threats to the population were identified as a result of said species.



The Department of Conservation (MDC) assumes this proposed legislation would appear to have fiscal impact on MDC funds as it would require noticeable staff time for service on the Invasive Species Council; writing, implementing and monitoring compliance with the Invasive Species Management Plan; and the involvement of numerous field staff to deal with invasive species issues at the local level. Fiscal impact in staff time to accomplish all of these requirements is estimated at approximately $60,000 annually.



The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) assumes the Council would be responsible for determining the amount of resources necessary to complete the Invasive Species Management Plan and that the Council would request an appropriation for dedicated staffing. The Department assumes that the equivalent of a planner and an environmental specialist would be needed to assist the Council in developing recommendations for national cooperation in addressing invasive species, develop guidance to state agencies on prevention and control of invasive species; and facilitate development of a coordinated network among state agencies to document, evaluate and monitor impacts from invasive species on the economy, the environment and human health. The Department will support budget initiatives of the Council.



Depending on the recommendations the Council proposes in the management plan, the Department may need to request additional resources to implement these recommendations. The recommendations may require the Department to modify our sampling and monitoring activities, change our remediation practices, and modify the soil and water cost share program.



Oversight assumes that the temporary staffing and administrative support that is to be provided to the Council by each participating agency can be absorbed. Additionally, if the Council needs dedicated staff then the Council may request appropriations for these staff members. Oversight assumes this would be accomplished during the normal budgetary process. Therefore, Oversight assumes the initial administrative impact of this proposal is $0.



According to the bill, state agencies whose actions affect invasive species shall attempt to prevent further impacts of invasive species. Oversight assumes state agencies which act on recommendations of the Council would request appropriations through the normal budget process.





FISCAL IMPACT - State Government FY 2001

(10 Mo.)

FY 2002 FY 2003
$0 $0 $0





FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government FY 2001

(10 Mo.)

FY 2002 FY 2003
$0 $0 $0



FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business



DHT noted the advisory committee to the council will potentially include members of small businesses as well as some of the rules established by the council may affect actions of small businesses.



DESCRIPTION



This proposal creates the Invasive Species Council. The named members of the Council are the Directors of the Departments of Agriculture, Conservation, Health, Natural Resources and Transportation. The Director of the Department of Conservation shall serve as the first-year Council chair and the other named members shall serve one year terms as Council chair on a rotating basis. Other agencies may be included. The five named agencies shall provide temporary staffing for the Council, and the Council may request appropriations for dedicated staffing.



State agencies whose actions affect invasive species shall attempt to prevent further impacts of invasive species and shall not act in ways that create further impacts of invasive species.



The Council shall oversee implementation of the act, encourage planning, develop recommendations, facilitate sharing of information and create and update an Invasive Species Management Plan.



The Plan shall be issued within 18 months of passage. The Plan shall be a 5-year rolling plan including goals, objectives and measures of success concerning invasive species.



This legislation is not federally mandated, would not require additional capital improvements or rental space, but would duplicate existing authority. AGR noted that chapters 263 and 267 RSMo currently provide authority to their agency, through the state entomologist and state veterinarian, for control of harmful plant pests and animal diseases, respectively. AGR performs or has the authority to perform some of the tasks indicated in this proposed legislation. AGR also noted that this proposed legislation parallels the federal Executive Order on Invasive Species.















SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Department of Agriculture

Department of Conservation

Department of Health

Department of Natural Resources

Department of Transportation

Office of Administration







Jeanne Jarrett, CPA

Director

January 24, 2000