LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session March 21, 2001 TO: Honorable Steven Wolens, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB918 by Turner, Sylvester (Relating to ensuring reliable and affordable electricity.), As Introduced ************************************************************************** * Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for * * HB918, As Introduced: negative impact of $(250,000) through the * * biennium ending August 31, 2003. * * * * 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, Five-Year Impact: **************************************************** * Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) * * Impact to General Revenue Related * * Funds * * 2002 $(125,000) * * 2003 (125,000) * * 2004 (125,000) * * 2005 (125,000) * * 2006 (125,000) * **************************************************** All Funds, Five-Year Impact: ***************************************************** * Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from * * General Revenue Fund * * 0001 * * 2002 $(125,000) * * 2003 (125,000) * * 2004 (125,000) * * 2005 (125,000) * * 2006 (125,000) * ***************************************************** Technology Impact No technology impact is anticipated. Fiscal Analysis The bill would amend the Utilities Code Chapter 39 to expand the responsibilities of the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to include a review of each power region in the state by December 1, 2001 to access whether fair competition and reliable service is available. The bill specifies the areas the PUC would use to conduct such an analysis and stipulates that notice and hearing be given for any subsequent actions taken by the PUC. The bill would take effect immediately upon a two-thirds vote from each house or on September 1, 2001. Methodology The Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC) estimates its workload would be increased requiring expert witness testimony and other preparation costs related to its participation in PUC proceedings that would result. Local Government Impact No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 473 Public Utility Commission of Texas, 475 Office of Public Utility Counsel LBB Staff: JK, RB, KM, RT