BILL ANALYSIS



C.S.H.B. 2773
By: Serna
5-6-95
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND

This bill addresses a problem unique to certain community colleges.
As a result of a recent action by the Public Utility Commission, a
separate university rate class has been established. At the same
time, the commission is contemplating establishing a "public
school" rate class. Even though many community colleges perform
many of the same functions, they are not classified as  "public
schools" for rate making purposes.

PURPOSE

HB 2773 classifies community college as  "public schools" for
ratemaking purposes.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency, or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Article VI, Public Utility Regulatory Act, by
           adding SECTION 45A as follows:

           Sec. 45A  states that the commission shall include any
           community college in the rate class containing public
           school customers.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

There are no substantive changes in the substitute. The substitute
is a Legislative draft where the original was not.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

Pursuant to posting of public notice, the House Committee on State
Affairs met in a public hearing on April 10, 1995 to consider HB
2773.  The chair laid out HB 2773 and recognized Rep. Serna to
explain the bill.  The committee considered a complete substitute
which was not adopted.  The following persons testified for the
bill: Raymund Rodriguez representing himself and Jim Boyle
representing El Paso Community College.  The chair left HB 2773
pending.  HB 2773 was considered by the committee in a formal
meeting on May 6, 1995.  The committee considered a complete
substitute which was adopted without objection.  The bill was
reported favorably as substituted with the recommendation that it
do pass and be printed and sent to the Committee on Local and
Consent Calendars by a record vote of 10 aye 0 nay, 0 PNV, 5
absent.