LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session March 31, 1999 TO: Honorable Steven Wolens, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: SB86 by Nelson (relating to the protection of telecommunications and electric services customers; providing penalties), As Engrossed ************************************************************************** * Estimated Two-Year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Fundsfor * * SB86, As Engrossed: impact of $0 through the biennium ending * * August 31, 2001. * * * * 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, Six-Year Impact: **************************************************** * Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) * * Impact to General Revenue Related * * Funds * * 1999 $0 * * 2000 0 * * 2001 0 * * 2002 0 * * 2003 0 * * 2004 0 * **************************************************** All Funds, Six-Year Impact: ************************************************************************** *Fiscal Probable Probable Revenue Change in Number of * * Year Savings/(Cost) from Gain/(Loss) from State Employees from * * General Revenue Fund General Revenue Fund FY 1998 * * 0001 0001 * * 1999 $(47,267) $47,267 0.0 * * 2000 (113,442) 113,442 2.0 * * 2001 (113,442) 113,442 1.0 * * 2002 (100,620) 100,620 1.0 * * 2003 (100,620) 100,620 1.0 * * 2004 (100,620) 100,620 1.0 * ************************************************************************** Fiscal Analysis The bill would establish specific consumer rights and protections for utility customers. One provision of the bill would require the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to set up and maintain a database of telephone customers who do not wish to receive telephone solicitations. Customers who wish to be included in the database would contact the PUC, and the PUC would be authorized to levy a fee, not to exceed $5, for their inclusion in the database. The bill would become effective immediately upon passage. Methodology It is assumed that the PUC would set the fee at a level sufficient to cover the cost of administering the database. In addition, it is estimated that approximately 27,000 people will choose to be included in the database during the remainder of fiscal year 1999, and that this number would grow to approximately 216,000 by 2004. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: LBB Staff: JK, BB, RT, CB