Colorado Legislative Council Staff

STATE

FISCAL NOTE

General Fund Expenditure Impact


Drafting Number:

Prime Sponsor(s):

LLS 98-321

Rep. Smith

Date:

Bill Status:

Fiscal Analyst:

February 9, 1998

House Agriculture

Will Meyer (866-4976)

 

TITLE:            CONCERNING THE CREATION OF A PROCESS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WATER PROJECTS TO INCREASE THE WATER RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE CITIZENS OF COLORADO, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, PROVIDING FOR MITIGATION OF THE IMPACT OF SAID PROJECTS, ESTABLISHING A WATER PROJECT ASSISTANCE FUND, AND MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.



Summary of Legislation


            The provisions of this bill would require the State Engineer, Division of Water Resources and the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), Department of Natural Resources, to: (1) assist in the organization of local, voluntary water basin planning groups to identify present and future water needs; (2) review the work of local planning groups and evaluate the basin studies performed by the local planning groups and develop a list of prospective water projects; and (3) identify mitigation opportunities and solutions.


            It would require the CWCB to make annual recommendations to the General Assembly on the use of moneys in the Water Project Assistance Fund. The use of moneys in the fund would include the development of projects designed to meet nonconsumptive use needs of statewide interest, mitigation, and projects for which no immediate consumptive use demand exists, but that are necessary to ensure adequate future water supplies for identified needs. The bill would become effective upon signature of the Governor.


STATE FISCAL IMPACT SUMMARY

FY 1998/99

FY 1999/2000

State Revenues

General Fund

Other Fund



 



 

State Expenditures

General Fund

Other Fund


$217,718


$426,020

FTE Position Change

2.0 FTE

2.0 FTE

Local Government Impact — None Identified.




State Expenditures


            The Division of Water Resources and the CWCB would require the following resources to implement the provisions of this bill. The required expenditures are as follows:


Department of Natural Resources Expenditures - HB 98-1288

 

FY 1998-99

FY 1999-2000

Personal Services:

 Phase I - Identification: PE III - 2.0 FTE

 Phase II- Analysis: PE III - 2.0 FTE


$169,348



$169,348

Operating Expenses

10,800

 

Meeting and Travel Expenses

23,616

6,672

Non-recurring Expenses

13,954

 

Consultants - 2,000 hrs @ $125/hr

 

250,000

Total Expenses - 2.0 FTE

$217,718

$426,020


            In the first year, the department has indicated that it would convene six meetings for each of the 12 planning basin groups. The department would require additional staff to facilitate these meetings, review each of the 12 basin reports, and prepare a draft report for presentation to the CWCB. In the second year, the department would integrate, supplement, and analyze the 12 basin planning group reports and prepare recommendations. The department would require an estimated 2,000 hours of consultant time to assist them in the analysis of the basin reports and to help them draft the report to be submitted to the General Assembly.


            The department has indicated that any recommendations to expend moneys from the Water Project Assistance Fund are conditional on the outcome of the basin reports and the recommendations of the CWCB. These expenditures cannot be estimated at this time.


Expenditures Not Included


            Pursuant to the Joint Budget Committee’s budget policies, the following expenditures have not been included in this fiscal note:

 

               health and life insurance costs;

               short-term disability costs;

               inflationary cost factors; and

               indirect costs.


Spending Authority


            This fiscal note implies that the Department of Natural Resources would require an additional General Fund appropriation of $217,718 GF and 2.0 FTE in FY 1998/99.



Departments Contacted


            Natural Resources