Honorable Chris Paddie, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB2154 by Schwertner (Relating to the membership of the Public Utility Commission of Texas.), As Engrossed
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB2154, As Engrossed : a negative impact of ($2,212,072) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2022
($1,156,036)
2023
($1,056,036)
2024
($1,056,036)
2025
($1,056,036)
2026
($1,056,036)
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable (Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2021
2022
($1,156,036)
6.0
2023
($1,056,036)
6.0
2024
($1,056,036)
6.0
2025
($1,056,036)
6.0
2026
($1,056,036)
6.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would increase the number of commissioners at the Public Utility Commission from three to five, as well as amend the rules for commissioner eligibility.
Methodology
The PUC anticipates that the cost associated with the bill is the cost of two commissioners, two commissioner advisors, and two support staff, plus the cost to construct two new commissioner office suites. Each commissioner salary is $201,000; each advisor salary is $135,000; and each support staff salary is $55,000. The PUC estimates a total of $8,000 in other operating expense for these six new employees. The cost to construct two new commissioner office suites, which include multiple offices and a reception area, is estimated by facilities staff to be $50,000 each, or $100,000 total in the first year.
Technology
It is anticipated that there is no technological impact from this bill.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Admin, 473 Public Utility Commission of Texas, 475 Office of Public Utility Counsel