HBA-AMW H.B. 1574 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1574 By: Junell State Affairs 3/22/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Texas is one of only 15 states that have a statewide 9-1-1 system. The Commission on State Emergency Communications (commission) was given the responsibility by the legislature for managing the statewide 9-1-1 system; however, problems have arisen regarding the commission's management of the system. A 1998 state auditor's report found that the current 9-1-1 system is inefficient and that the service responsibilities are overlapping. The report also found that current purchasing and revenue collection activities are not cost-effective and that there are duplicative costs for regional and local entities. House Bill 1574 abolishes the commission and transfers its powers and duties to the Public Utility Commission of Texas. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking authority previously delegated to the Commission on State Emergency Communications is transferred to the Public Utility Commission of Texas. ANALYSIS House Bill 1574 amends the Health and Safety and Transportation codes to abolish the Commission on State Emergency Communications and transfer its powers and duties, including the statewide 9-1-1 system, the poison control centers, and emergency telephone call boxes, to the Public Utility Commission of Texas. EFFECTIVE DATE January 1, 2002.