SRC-PNG C.S.S.B. 1797 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1797
76R7912 JJT-FBy: Duncan
Natural Resources
4/12/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, under Texas law, gas utilities or municipally owned utilities
may refuse to provide services to a school district even if pipeline
capacity is available on an existing facility of the utility. This would
prohibit a gas utility or municipally owned utility from refusing to
provide services to a school district under certain circumstances. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 1797  prohibits a gas utility or municipally owned
utility from refusing to provide services to a school district under
certain circumstances. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 104F, Utilities Code, by adding Section
104.2545, as follows: 

Sec.  104.2545.  REQUIRED SERVICE TO SCHOOL DISTRICT.  Defines "service
site." Sets forth certain services a gas utility or municipally owned
utility is prohibited from refusing to a school district at a service site,
unless the utility is prohibited by other law from providing the service
and if sufficient pipeline capacity is available on an existing facility of
the utility to provide the service.  Requires a utility to provide a
service described by Subsection (b) at rates provided by a written contract
negotiated between the utility and the state or a state agency.  Authorizes
the Railroad Commission to determine a fair and reasonable rate for the
school district as a rate for a separate class of service, if the utility
and the state or state agency are not able to agree to a contract rate. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1. 

Amends Chapter 104F, Utilities Code, by adding Section 104.2545, regarding
required service to school districts. Deletes proposed SECTION 1.