Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

_____________________ A PPROPRIATIONS
PPROPRIATIONS ACT
77 th Texas Legislature
Revenue and General Revenue-Dedicated Funds appropriations total $1,573.8 million, an increase of
$33.6 million, or 2.2 percent, when compared to the 2000–2001 biennium. Significant budget
recommendations for agencies in the natural resources function include the following:
Provides the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission:
• $179.7 million in General Revenue–Dedicated Funds for petroleum storage tank remediation and
program administration contingent upon passage of H.B. 2912, 77 th Legislature.
• An increase of $9.5 million in General Revenue–Dedicated Funds to address problems relating to
waste tires.
• An increase of $4 million to refine air quality models used to demonstrate attainment for federal air
quality standards.
• An increase of $1.5 million in funding for total maximum daily load assessments.
Provides the Parks and Wildlife Department:
• An increase of $12.3 million, including an $8.5 million increase to restore or establish services at
existing state parks and the World Birding Center.
• Continued progress on infrastructure improvements with an increase of $3.9 million in General
Revenue Funds for debt service payments.
• A $0.7 million decrease in Other Funds due to progress on the parks infrastructure repairs program
during the 2000-2001 biennium and the addition of $36.7 million in bond funds for construction
projects in FY 2003, contingent on enactment H.B. 3064 and voter approval of a constitutional
amendment (HJR 97) in November 2001.
Provides the General Land Office an increase of $0.5 million in Other Funds due to creation of the new
Texas Veterans Homes Administration Fund to administer loans for veterans’ homes and an increase of
$0.2 million in Other Funds due to the increased participation of eligible Texas veterans in the Veterans
Land Program Administration.
Provides the Department of Agriculture an increase of $5 million for administration of the Weather
Modification Grant Program and $50 million for continuation of boll weevil eradication.
Provides the Trusteed Program within the General Land Office continued appropriations totaling $12.6
million in General Revenue Funds and $2.4 million out of Coastal Protection Account No. 27 for the Coastal
Erosion Control Program established by H.B. 2560, 76 th Legislature.
Provides the Railroad Commission an increase of $3.7 million in General Revenue Funds to fund the Oil
and Gas Technology Migration Project.
Provides the Soil and Water Conservation Board a continuation of $9.2 million for the Brush Control
Program and $15.0 million in Agricultural Water Bond proceeds for the Brush Control Program, contingent
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