LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 74th Regular Session April 13, 1995 TO: Honorable Robert Junell, Chair IN RE: Committee Substitute Committee on Appropriations for House House of Representatives Bill No. 1839 Austin, Texas FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on House Bill No. 1839 (relating to appropriations to an institution of higher education for energy costs) this office has determined the following: The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. The bill would amend Texas Education Code regarding energy conservation contracts. It would direct the Legislature to base utility appropriations to institutions of higher education on the institution's estimated energy cost for each year of the biennium and, if an energy conservation contract is in effect, on the institution's estimated net savings from the contract during the contract term divided by the number of years in the contract term. While the provisions of the bill may provide for cost savings to the State, savings would depend upon the number of institutions participating in energy conservation contracts and the subsequent savings realized after the contracts expire. Therefore, the fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined. The Legislative Budget Board would be required establish guidelines and an approval process for projects under this section. The fiscal implication to the State or units of local government cannot be determined. Source: Higher Education Coordinating Board LBB Staff: JK, MK, DF