The bill, Substitute House Bill No. 5349, introduced as File No. 276, mandates the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to establish a program for monitoring and reporting pollen counts in accordance with national standards. This new requirement is set to become effective on July 1, 2024, and is introduced as a new section in the legislation.

The fiscal impact statement indicates that the implementation of this bill will result in costs to the state beginning in fiscal year 2025, with estimates ranging from $300,000 to approximately $1.35 million for the initial year and $75,000 to $225,000 for subsequent years. The costs will vary depending on whether the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) decides to conduct the pollen count internally or contract it out, and on the number of pollen count units used. Additional costs include fringe benefits for personnel, which are estimated at $32,200 annually starting in FY 25. The bill analysis summarizes the requirement for the commissioner to set up a pollen count program and specifies the effective date of the legislation.